Three Manchester United players set for unique opportunity to save Old Trafford careers under Ten Hag

In his pre-Tottenham press conference, Erik ten Hag noted how the packed schedule ahead of the World Cup break is increasing the frequency of injuries for all clubs this season.

From Saturday, Manchester United have seven games in four weeks before the campaign pauses. In October alone, they will have played nine matches - a club record.

The need to cram in the required fixtures to ensure the football calendar stays on track is unprecedented and for the top players, there will be no let up. A number of United first team players are set to jet off to Qatar in what surely is the most controversial World Cup.

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While club managers may or may not take a breather during the month off, they will undoubtedly be biting their nails about the fitness of their players ahead of their return.

But back home, Ten Hag already has injury worries of his own. While Anthony Martial did not feature against Spurs, he is nearing a return, but United also have four long-term absentees.

Axel Tuanzebe will not return before Christmas but the other three players are nearing a comeback and will be handed a unique opportunity next month.

Brandon Williams, Donny van de Beek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are considered outsiders and their prospects of game time haven’t been helped by their lengthy setbacks.

All three are unlikely to make the trip to Qatar with England and the Netherlands, Van de Beek failing to feature for the Oranje since March 2001.

From what we have learnt from Ten Hag’s character, he is unlikely to put his feet up over the break but instead be out on the training pitch keeping up the fitness of his remaining squad and fine-tuning his tactics.

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