Manager Erik ten Hag has highlighted the importance of Manchester United having sufficient squad depth in place to compete for the biggest trophies in the future.
United, who are planning to add to their squad in this forthcoming summer's transfer window, have been decimated with injury issues in recent months, losing key players at important junctures. The likes of Marcus Rashford, who was back in the matchday squad against Chelsea on Thursday night, Alejandro Garnacho, Christian Eriksen and Raphael Varane are among those to have spent time on the sidelines in recent weeks and months.
It has meant that Ten Hag has been unable to make as many changes to his starting line-ups as he probably would have liked, meaning countless individuals have been tasked with playing every three or four days for much of the campaign. Bruno Fernandes, for example, has only missed three matches all season and they were because of suspension.
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Against Chelsea, though, United's matchday squad had a much more healthy look to it, with Rashford rejoining the likes of Scott McTominay, Tyrell Malacia and Harry Maguire on the bench. And having squad depth, in Ten Hag's eyes, will be key to the Reds' hopes of continuing on their progression path.
"That was not always the case in this season; we have had a lot of injuries, especially in the frontline," Ten Hag told Sky Sports. "That meant we couldn't always change things from the bench, although we did often.
"But now we have a really good bench with Garnacho, with Rashford, with [Wout] Weghorst, with McTominay and with Fred. They are really good options and that is what a club the size of Manchester United needs if you want to battle for the highest [accolades]."
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