Sir Jim Ratcliffe is right to demand answers to biggest Manchester United question

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag greets Sir Jim Ratcliffe at Carrington
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag greets Sir Jim Ratcliffe at Carrington -Credit:Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images


Manchester United are undoubtedly on the verge of one of their biggest summers in recent memory.

The Reds are in a hole as the season fizzles out and it is not clear what the long-term solution is to rectify things. However, there are brighter skies ahead for United with Sir Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS set to have their first summer to attempt a rebuild.

Whether or not that will include Erik ten Hag is yet to be seen considering some dreadful performances this campaign. But even if Ratcliffe decides to keep the Dutchman, there is one big question which still needs answering.

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MEN Sport has taken a closer look at the latest media reports to explain.

Ratcliffe demanding injury investigation

According to the Daily Mirror, Ratcliffe is demanding that the club conducts a thorough investigation into the injury crisis which has plagued the club this season. Remarkably, there has been more than 60 separate injuries or illnesses to the squad since August with the defence being the most severely impacted across the campaign.

United have so far played a whopping 31 different defensive combinations as they tried to navigate the injury woes.

MEN Sport says: It is refreshing to see this issue not being swept underneath the carpet by Ratcliffe. While it is easy to focus on the mistakes Ten Hag has made this season, it must be difficult to pick a side when so many severe injuries have flown through the squad. United are by no means the outlier in the Premier League as plenty of clubs have also suffered sustained injury problems - Liverpool being one example. But, United must be at the top end of the injury table and that certainly needs addressing as a priority to work out why this is happening.

Casemiro looking to make a move

CaughtOffside is reporting that Casemiro is in talks to join Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr this summer. The Brazilian midfielder is one of several United players on the transfer list as INEOS attempts to cut down the wage bill at the club.

It is understood an offer in the region of £34m could be made by the Saudi Pro League club for Casemiro's services.

MEN Sport says: Ian Wright claimed earlier this week that Jamie Carragher had been disrespectful with his comments towards Casemiro after United's thumping at Crystal Palace. While the ex-Liverpool man certainly did not mince his words on Monday Night Football, it was hard to argue with him.

The Brazilian has not reached anywhere near the heights he accomplished last season and he has proven why many questioned paying such a huge fee for him last summer. If Ten Hag is sacked the signings of Casemiro and Antony will be pointed to as one of the reasons why.