Manchester United face a huge week in their season, but boss Erik ten Hag is being forced to deal with matters away from the clash with Chelsea as another injury crisis hits his squad

Manchester United are building up for a huge week in their season, with clashes against Chelsea and Liverpool ahead.

The Red Devils are battling to save their chances of qualifying for the Champions League, with fourth-place Aston Villa 11 points ahead. But as he prepares his side, boss Erik ten Hag is facing yet another injury crisis.

In response, Ten Hag has ordered an internal investigation to discover why United are suffering so much on the injury front. That news comes as the Dutchman has warned the clash with Chelsea is virtually a ‘must-win’ game by Arsenal legend Paul Merson.

And Jadon Sancho looks set to be handed a second chance to resurrect his United career despite his fallout with Ten Hag. Here, Mirror Football rounds up all the latest Manchester United news.

Ten Hag orders investigation

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has ordered an internal investigation after seeing Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelog struck by injury. Ten Hag’s squad have now suffered more than 50 injuries combined this season, the Dutchman is keen to discover the cause of the crisis.

“We have an idea but we will work on it. Internally, we will deal with it. You can’t prevent injuries, and it’s not only us who’ve had this. The standards in the Premier League, from an intensity perspective, are so high, the overload of the schedule and international football is so huge,” he said.

“We have [many] internationals in our squad. City, Liverpool and Newcastle have all had injury problems, many other teams as well. In this moment, it’s especially in the defensive department, but in the midfield and frontline the players are available.”

Read the latest United injury news.

HAVE YOUR SAY! What should be Manchester United’s line-up against Chelsea? Comment below.

Merson sends warning

Paul Merson has fired a warning to Ten Hag over his future ( 

Image:

@SkySportsF1/Twitter)

Arsenal legend Paul Merson has warned Erik ten Hag he faces a virtually must-win game against Chelsea on Thursday. Merson believes the Dutchman will come under increased pressure if United are beaten.

“It’s very difficult to predict this game. It’s not even a big game, is it? This used to be a mouthwatering fixture. Now, one of these teams got ripped to shreds by Brentford, and the other wasn’t able to dominate a ten-man Burnley side,” Merson told Sportskeeda..

“This is a manager’s game, if I’m being honest. Neither team would want to lose this football match. If Ten Hag loses this game and suffers another defeat against Liverpool next week, he’ll be under massive pressure.”

Read Merson’s prediction for United’s clash with Chelsea.

Sancho set for second chance

Jadon Sancho could be offered a lifeline to resurrect his United career if Jason Wilcox joins the club as planned. The Red Devils have launched an audacious push to bring Wilcox in as their new technical director.

Wilcox knows Sancho well from his time working in Manchester City’s academy. The winger is now at United, though is currently on loan at Borussia Dortmund having fallen out with Ten Hag back in September.

But while many expect him to depart Old Trafford in the summer transfer window, Sancho may in fact have a future at the club. Wilcox remains a huge fan of the winger, having handed him his debut for City’s under-18s.

Read the latest on Sancho’s future.

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