Manchester United have huge summer injury risk who isn't at Euro 2024

The key to Manchester United finding improvement under Erik ten Hag next season doesn't primarily lie with the manager's tactics, or how the summer transfer window unfolds, but what happens in the treatment room at Carrington.

There were several factors involved as last season turned into an unmitigated disaster - until the final act - but chief among them was an injury crisis that left Ten Hag searching for solutions, particularly in defence.

The Dutchman had to turn to numerous different combinations at the back, using 14 different partnerships at the centre of defence and going almost the entire campaign without a natural left-back. Had there been more stability in defence then there is no doubt performances would have been better.

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That makes it essential that the underlying reasons for such a desperate injury record are discovered and the necessary changes made. But before the squad return to pre-season training from July 8 onwards, Ten Hag and his coaches will cross their fingers that the players on international duty return without picking up any further injuries.

Particular attention will be paid to Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw, the two players United missed more than any others last season. Martinez managed just 14 appearances last season and Shaw 15, with neither playing more than 1,175 minutes.

Crucially for Argentina and England, they have recovered from club seasons disrupted by injury to represent their nations at the Copa America and European Championship respectively. That they enter those tournaments relatively fresh will be encouraging for their countries and if they get through them unscathed United might benefit, but they will desperately hope they do get through them.

There will be plenty of eyes on Shaw, who hasn't played for United since February 18 and has a history of picking up injuries. If he is fit enough to play in England's second group game it will be four months since he last kicked a ball competitively and while he is the only natural left-back in England's squad they need to treat him with caution.

Martinez returned to fitness in time to play for United towards the end of the season and his presence in the FA Cup final team made a major difference to the performance level. He is the most aggressive centre-back in the squad, excellent in defending one-on-one and also the best ball player at the back. The balance he brings is vital to the way United build up play.

Martinez probably edges Shaw as the player most missed by United last season and having suffered muscle injuries as well as a recurrence of his foot problem, there will be a focus on how he gets through a busy tournament with Argentina, who kick off their Copa America campaign next Friday.

They play Canada, Peru and Chile in the group stages in the United States and could play a further three knockout matches before the final on July 14. Argentina will be guaranteed the six games if they reach the semi-finals, with a third and fourth-place play-off on the final weekend.

A run that deep would delay Martinez's return to pre-season training but it is more important for United he comes through it fit and in form. After such a quiet 2023/24, they will be content to grant him a couple of weeks off in July and will be desperately hoping he is fit and firing to start the next domestic season.

Ten Hag won't want to do without his former Ajax centre-back again.