Since the Premier League began following the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Manchester United has seldom ever rotated. Even though the Red Devils have rarely lost, this issue has caused division among the fan base.
Since the World Cup finished, Erik ten Hag’s team has competed in 12 games, winning 10, losing 1, and drawing 1.
Six cup matches were also played by Manchester United during that time, including four in the Carabao Cup and two in the FA Cup. However, Ten Hag typically used strong lineups in these matches, just as he did in the Premier League.
There are several good reasons to support the Dutch manager’s lack of rotation despite the possibility of player injuries, even though not many fans are enthusiastic about his choice.
Consistency breeds momentum
Christian Eriksen’s injury to Reading in the FA Cup has raised questions and even criticized Ten Hag for being reluctant to join the squad’s rotation, but understand where the Manchester United boss comes from It’s not difficult to do.
As a team currently playing very well and winning, Ten Hag wants to make sure the positive results continue. He wants to keep the team consistent, and only consistency can create momentum.
Against a smaller club like Reading, the Reds could have put 11 men on the rotation, but they risk losing. The fact that United’s squad numbers are so low and the quality of their bench lacking is another reason why drastic changes to the starting line-up could backfire.
Manchester United now has momentum on their side, and a loss with a rotating starting eleven might reverse that momentum. Some essential players will eventually need a break, but it is always preferable to finish a game before removing your key players than to put them on as you try to win it.
Players must compete for positions in the Manchester United starting lineup.
Since taking over as Manchester United’s manager, Ten Hag has insisted that each player earn a spot in the starting lineup. The squad now has competition thanks to this philosophy.
Luke Shaw is currently aware that if his performance level declines, he will be replaced by Tyrell Malacia, and Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire must outperform Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez to start. The same is true for other roles.
The players have been kept alert by this culture. Player’s personalities and mentalities are shaped when they are aware that they must give everything they have in every game, whether they are playing Reading or Manchester City.
Ten Hag has already stated that he wants to win every game, which is exactly what this squad needs, as an explanation for his lack of rotation. He’d stated:
“I think players like to play. You can build and construct a good team if you play often and in my perspective when you play often the same, you’re getting the routines in,” Ten Hag explained.
“We want to win every game. We have a squad and we have to plan as well but there is a big responsibility for the players to be ready, be fit. It is about recovery, sleep, and football.”
The team cannot afford to lose games at this specific time as they face the business end of the season, where trophies and a top-four spot are on the line, thus the concerns of players getting injured are genuine, but so is Ten Hag’s lack of rotation.
