Erik ten Hag insists Man United absentees have caused his side inconsistent performances… with the Dutchman vowing his side will improve when key players return to fitness

Erik ten Hag has blamed Manchester United’s alarming inconsistency this season on the club’s ongoing injury problems.

United suffered a disappointing defeat at home to Bournemouth on Saturday, three days after beating Chelsea at Old Trafford.

This has been the story of the club’s entire season, but Ten Hag believes injuries have been the main reason for United’s inconsistent form.

Key defender Lisandro Martinez was missing for almost the entire campaign after requiring a second operation on his leg, while other long-term absentees included Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malasia.

Mason Mount made an injured start to Old Trafford after a £60m summer move from Chelsea, while a number of other players were sidelined in the opening months of the season.

Asked why his side were so inconsistent after winning the League Cup and finishing third last season, Ten Hag replied: “We had an average team, not many changes, especially in our back line. We have had a regular lineup for a long time, and this will help you.

“You set the course of action and we will have to wait for it. Until then, we’ll figure it out. This is something every team has to face, not just us, when we get back to where we are we will win games and get better.

“We have to be tough if we want to do this every third day. We are not the only team. I see inconsistency in all the Premier League teams. Players are not robots. But the team that handles it best will go the furthest.”

Scott McTominay echoed his manager’s thoughts on the demands of the Premier League, which has seen a number of top clubs in inconsistent form this season.

“We know the controversy we’ve had and we’re not naive about it,” McTominay said. “We talked about it as a group. The schedule is merciless. We can’t blame this on falling behind scheduled matches, but we have to come together and figure out why we’re being inconsistent. The boys do their best to contribute and give it their all when you step on the field.”

United face a crucial Champions League match against Bayern Munich at Old Trafford on Tuesday night, when they will have to beat the Germans and hope Galatasaray and Copenhagen draw to progress through.

It’s not an easy task against Bayern, who are unbeaten in 39 group matches dating back to September 2017. Thomas Tuchel’s side held Copenhagen to a goalless draw last time out, but Bayern have not played back-to-back draws since 2009. and has failed to score in two consecutive matches since 2004.

Despite this, Ten Hag is confident his players can secure just a second win of the Group A campaign to give themselves a chance of promotion.

“We’re thinking positively,” he said. “We know what to do. We need to win to stay in Europe, that’s what it is. We will prepare the team with this feeling, with this belief. When we’re at our best, we can do it.

“We have the opportunity and we want to stay in Europe. If we are in the right mindset, we can beat any opponent. I know this team can perform at a really high level. I know we can do this, it all starts with the right attitude.”