The international break is the source of much frustration for many Manchester United fans. Whether the team is trying to find form or maintain it, players having to leave and join up with their national teams both kills momentum but also allows the opportunity for a number of injuries.
However, the most recent international break seems the most problematic. With an already packed 2021/22 season having just finished, many would have expected that players would have been given the chance to rest and recuperate before pre-season starts, but instead many have joined up with their national team to compete in a number of friendlies and also the Nations League.
United's pre-season starts on the 27th of June, though these players will be given extra time to rest up before the start of the new era at Old Trafford. This seems incredibly short-sighted given that the Qatar World Cup will take place in November and the schedule will be packed, with it already being announced that European fixtures will likely extend after Christmas.
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Harry Maguire, Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot, Anthony Elanga, Fred, Alex Telles, Facundo Pellistri, Scott McTominay and Raphael Varane have all taken part in international football this summer. United are also interested in Frenkie de Jong and Jurrien Timber, who have been key parts of Louis van Gaal's Netherlands squad.
Varane has suffered another injury and United fans pointed to burnout as a major cause for Maguire's drop-off in form this season. Others have also stated that Ronaldo improved once he was not forced to play two games a week, but that will be the new normal in the 2022/23 season.
A flaw that has been pointed out about Erik ten Hag is his tendency to under-rotate his squads, but this is going to be a necessity going into the next season. It is true that every top-side will have the same disadvantage, but with United planning a massive clear-out this season with six players having already left on a free transfer, will they have the squad depth to compete?
With another international break as early as September, before players head off to Qatar in November, what happens if there is an injury to United's only striker in Ronaldo? Who will alternate with De Jong when his legs are starting to give out?
United are yet to make a signing in the summer transfer window, and that is not yet a cause for concern, however, if Ten Hag is to make positive steps next season, the club will need to start bringing in reinforcements. And hopefully, with player care in mind, international teams take steps to protect players from injury and running out of steam ahead of the World Cup.
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