Former Manchester United assistant manager Mike Phelan believes that the changes made to Sir Alex Fergusons long-standing set-up at Old Trafford may be responsible for the clubs recent injury problems. Chris Smalling limped off against Southampton on Monday as the Red Devils suffered their 43rd injury of the campaign, with the likes of Angel Di Maria, Luke Shaw and Phil Jones all still on the sidelines due to fitness issues. And Phelan, who worked alongside Ferguson at Old Trafford between 2008-13, believes a shake-up in staff - including the removal of fitness coach Tony Strudwick from day-to-day duties - following Louis van Gaals arrival at the club in July has played a part in their recent woes. Whats happened is a continuation of the same players getting injured all the time, so you have to look to the reasons why, he told the International Business Times. I think Manchester United changed their thoughts on the fitness regime, they looked at it a little bit differently. Tony Strudwick, who was operating as head of sports science, 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. Phelan also believes that a change in training regimes may have had an impact, with the former Netherlands coach having reportedly brought in double sessions at Carrington for his squad. Theyve 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. I would have thought [the squad] is big enough at Manchester United, because they can go out and get players in, but obviously they keep breaking down and they dont seem to be getting any better. They seem to get one back and lose another two. Van Gaal knows now roughly the intensity of the Premier League and what his players can produce. Hes been at the highest level, working with the highest players, in different countries. Its just a case of maybe understanding the specific requirements of players, individual players, where they need to be at certain times in order to perform. Hes got enough staff there to sort that out.
Posted on: Wed, 10 Dec 2014 19:28:16 +0000
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