“Congratulations to Erik ten Hag because with such player returning, his job is now saved… They suffered because he was absent”: Mikel Arteta names ONE particular player who’s absent really affected Man United as he congratulates Ten Hag for having the star back to the team
Former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre has insisted that the club’s season could have been different had one player been available for Erik ten Hag.
Erik ten Hag’s men have endured a lacklustre start to their 2024-25 Premier League season, with the Red Devils languishing in 14th place in the league table.
Manchester United have won only twice in their opening seven league matches, with the pressure mounting on Ten Hag to turn the tide back in his favour.
The Red Devils dropped points in their last Europa League match against Porto ahead of the October break, with United coming from behind to seal a 3-3 draw.
United also played out a 0-0 draw with Aston Villa at Villa Park in the Premier League ahead of the October international break.
Silvestre on Man Utd star
Speaking to TribalFootball, Mikael Silvestre shared his two cents on the injury that Luke Shaw suffered ahead of the 2024-25 Premier League season.
Luke Shaw missed the second half of the 2024-25 campaign and was called up to the England squad in the summer for Euro 2024, despite being injured.
The 29-year-old Manchester United left-back featured in the later stages of the tournament in Germany, with England falling short in the Euro 2024 final to Spain.
Shaw suffered a calf injury in pre-season training and has currently been sidelined for the 2024-25 campaign, with the United star yet to make an appearance.
“I believe United had enough options at left-back this summer,” Silvestre said.
“Luke Shaw spent the summer involved with the national team, so you think that he’s not far off being fully fit when he comes back after the summer.
“Managers and backroom staff can’t anticipate that he’s going to be out for a significant period of time as soon as he comes back to the club.
“That’s the unpredictability of football.
Silvestre backing Shaw on return
Erik ten Hag has been forced to predominately deploy right-back Dingo Dalot as a makeshift left-back in the absence of Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.
Tyrell Malacia is making progress for his long-awaited return after missing the entirety of last season, while Shaw is tipped to return after the October break.
Silvestre admitted that United’s season could have been different if Shaw had not been injured, but he is backing the Red Devils left-back to be fully fit “soon.”
“It made sense at the time to stick with Shaw and Tyrell Malacia and you must cope with what is now a tricky period with Diogo Dalot playing slightly out of position,” he continued.
“It would have been nice to have Luke playing in defence, and maybe it would have changed the start of the season, but they have to be patient with him and hopefully, he’ll be back to full fitness soon.”
