Louis Van Gaal Blamed for Manchester United Injuries by Mike Phelan

Former Manchester United assistant manager Mike Phelan believes Louis van Gaal's change of regime is the reason why players keep "breaking down" with injury.

Chris Smalling's suspected muscle tear, as reported by Chris Wheeler of the Daily Mail, was United's 43rd senior injury of the season. The club have only played 16 competitive matches under Van Gaal, but Phelan believes the manager's change in tact could be at the heart of the problem.

Wheeler reported his comments:

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Tony Strudwick, who was operating as head of sports science and was involved day to day with the first-team. He understood the ins and outs of how to keep players fit, how to keep them ready for competition. Then suddenly they moved him sideways and did something completely different. That may have had an effect. That one area has changed.

They’ve brought in new people with a different way of doing things. The intensity of training may be one thing—it may be too intense, or not intense enough—but obviously slight changes have been made with the present way of doing things.

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Alongside Smalling, United are currently without Angel Di Maria, Phil Jones, Rafael, Daley Blind and Luke Shaw, noted by Wheeler. Van Gaal is yet to deploy a team which can be considered United's best, but United have improved since Michael Carrick shrugged off his early-season problem to prop up the team's midfield, and inevitably, defence.

Many players have been deployed in unfamiliar roles to make up for continued losses. Ashley Young is working hard in the left full-back position, with Adnan Januzaj and Jesse Lingard also being tested in the same role. Antonio Valencia currently occupies the spot on the right, with Marouane Fellaini popping up ahead of him. 

United were extremely fortunate to keep their winning run going during the 2-1 victory over Southampton. The limits of the squad shone through at St. Mary's, where youngster Paddy McNair was substituted after 38 minutes because "he played without confidence," according to Van Gaal, via BBC Sport.

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McNair has largely impressed after having his progress into the first-team accelerated. The 19-year-old joins youngsters Tyler Blackett and James Wilson as players who wouldn't have expected to take on so much responsibility so early. Injuries have made their inclusion necessary, and for the most part, they have responded well.

Van Gaal is often guarded about injuries—few knew exactly why Radamel Falcao missed the draw with Chelsea—providing plenty of room for misleading stories to be published. Andy Mitten of ESPN FC believes a more honest approach could see the blame shifted away from the manager:

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At Barcelona, a press statement is issued by a doctor almost immediately to explain the injury sustained by a player (there can be two or three per day).

At United and other English clubs, communication is much slower and more guarded, which prompts conjecture. For example, one player couldn't understand why the club didn't announce his injury earlier in the season, meaning two days of friends calling and messaging to ask what was wrong.

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Manchester Evening News' Samuel Luckhurst suggested Phelan's comments are misplaced. He highlighted similar fitness problems under Sir Alex Ferguson:

United are doing the bare minimum to win matches right now, which was highlighted by the narrow escapes against Stoke and Southampton. Liverpool travel to Old Trafford on Sunday, a match of two struggling giants which still manages to retain its importance with supporters. 

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Currently averaging 2.69 injuries for every United appearance, higher than the club's goals per game ratio, it wouldn't be a shock to see another of Van Gaal's men succumb when their rivals are in town.

Such a repetitive storyline could go on to define United's season. It's naive to suggest simple bad luck is behind the injury problems, meaning Van Gaal would be wise to take a serious look at the types of injury being sustained. Whether it's his fault or not, he needs to adapt to ensure United have enough men to get through the busy Christmas period.