Man Utd, Chelsea rank highly in worst injury record table; Newcastle top Premier League | OneFootball

Manchester United lost the seventh-highest number of days to players being injured of any Premier League team during the 2023/24 season, a report has revealed.

The Red Devils' fitness issues have been vast all campaign long, with stars like Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount and Tyrell Malacia all being sidelined for significant chunks of the year. Club captain Bruno Fernandes also endured a brief but rare spell out of action recently.

Manager Erik ten Hag has been particularly hamstrung in defence but has been unable to find a solution, with United in danger of finishing eighth on the final day of the league season.

While The Athletic highlight United have suffered the most 'time-loss injuries' - defined as one that results in a player missing at least one game - with 46, they trail six other Premier League clubs for total days lost to injury in 2023/24.

Newcastle United lead the way with 1,915 with the likes of Nick Pope, Sven Botman and Joelinton being unavailable to Eddie Howe among others.

Martinez has struggled with injuries during his time at Man Utd / Michael Regan/GettyImages

Sheffield United's ultimately feeble fight against relegation wasn't helped by losing players for a combined 1,713 days while Mauricio Pochettino has had to juggle his squad to mixed effect having lost squad members for 1,712 days.

Title challengers Manchester City and Arsenal have both been aided by avoiding mass casualties, though the Cityzens still had to make do without Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland during the first half of the season.

Player fatigue has been a topic of growing significance in the modern game, with worries over the effects of excessive scheduling being highlighted by Man City duo Pep Guardiola and Rodri.

Spanish midfielder Rodri played 56 games in all competitions last season and has featured in another 48 this term before City's clash with West Ham United on Sunday. The reigning champions need only to match Arsenal's result against Everton to wrap up a fourth Premier League title on the bounce.