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Van Gaal fitness regime questioned after injury woes

Louis van Gaal says Manchester United's run of injuries is the worst he has seen in his career © Getty Images

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Former Manchester United assistant manager Mike Phelan has suggested Louis van Gaal's fitness regime could be responsible for the spate of injuries at Old Trafford.

Chris Smalling picked up United's 43rd injury of the Dutchman's reign when he limped off against Southampton on Monday with a groin problem.

Phelan was Sir Alex Ferguson's No.2 during the final five years of the Scot's long spell in charge and feels the changes Van Gaal has made since taking over this summer could account for the number of players United have had sidelined.

"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," Phelan told the International Business Times.

"What's happened is a continuation of the same players getting injured all the time, so you have to look to the reasons why. I think Manchester United changed their thoughts on the fitness regime, they looked at it a bit differently.

Van Gaal has described United's injury problems as the worst he has encountered in his long managerial career and Phelan believes the change in fitness coach Tony Strudwick's role could be a cause.

"They've brought in new people with a different way of doing things," he added. "Tony understood the ins and outs of how to keep players fit."

"Tony, who was operating as head of sports science, was involved day to day with the first team.

"He understood how to keep players 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."

United have had major defensive injuries, with Smalling, Jonny Evans and Phil Jones all spending more than one spell on the treatment table, while full-backs Luke Shaw and Rafael da Silva have spent extended periods out.

Midfielders Michael Carrick and Daley Blind have had lengthy spells on the sidelines, striker Radamel Falcao has been limited to three starts and record signing Angel Di Maria is currently out.

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