Man United launch an investigation into why Erik ten Hag has EIGHT senior players out with knocks, excluding out-of-favour Jadon Sancho – and hiring ex-Arsenal man Gary O’Driscoll hasn’t helped! 

• Man United appointed Gary O’Driscoll as head of sports medicine last month 
• But the Red Devils are facing an injury crisis, with eight players currently out 
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ 

Manchester United have launched an investigation into why their first-team squad has suffered so many injuries. 

With the Premier League season just eight matches in, no fewer than 16 players have been injured or unavailable to manager Erik ten Hag so far. 

That situation has ensured that the Dutchman has been unable to pick his first choice XI once this season, with new signings Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount among those affected. 

It has also played a role in what has been an underwhelming start, with United currently in tenth place. 

Mail Sport understands that officials from the Old Trafford side’s medical department are actively seeking to identify whether any patterns exist. 

Man United have launched an investigation into why they have suffered so many injuries

Erik ten Hag has been faced with an injury crisis this season, with eight players currently out 

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Should that be the case, they will then attempt to find a way to improve injury prevention in the future. 

Some of those who have been forced to sit out games, such as Ivorian academy prospect Amad, have suffered impact injuries, which cannot be predicted. 

Others have suffered muscular problems with United medical staff looking into whether they have come on the back of the sheer volume of games played last season, which featured a winter World Cup. 

United have strengthened their medical department, taking Gary O’Driscoll from Arsenal as head of sports medicine. 

That move was made before the current spate of injuries. Staff are also aware that they and cross-town rivals City played the most games of any English top-flight club last year and have noted similar issues at their neighbours. 

United played 41 games between 21 December and the end of the season, which was the same number the likes of Aston Villa, Brentford and Brighton played across the whole campaign. 

This includes Luke Shaw and all three left backs in United’s senior squad are out injured

They hired Arsenal’s former head of sports medicine Gary O’Driscoll back in September 

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