Martinez is among ten Hag’s biggest supporters (Picture: Getty)
Erik ten Hag has missed the influence of Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro as he struggles to keep the Manchester United dressing room together.
The Dutchman is facing a mounting crisis at Old Trafford with various reports on Monday claiming he is battling to keep key players at the club onside in the wake of Saturday’s dismal 1-0 loss to Newcastle United – their 10th defeat of the season.
Ten Hag has reportedly lost 50 per cent of the United dressing room with major concerns over the manager’s playing style, training methods and treatment of Jadon Sancho, who was exiled from the first-team squad earlier this season.
United take on Chelsea, Bournemouth, Bayern Munich and Liverpool in a run of fixtures that could decide ten Hag’s fate.
While the former Ajax boss appears to be losing the backing of some members of the squad, he still retains the support of some with Martinez at the top of that list.
The Argentina international, who shone during his first season in England after arriving from Ajax, has been sidelined after undergoing a second operation on his foot this year.
ESPN report the 25-year-old is a ‘staunch supporter’ of ten Hag and has been back around the first-team group in recent weeks despite not being due to return to action until after Christmas.
Ten Hag has reportedly lost 50 per cent of the United dressing room (Picture: Getty)
United have also been without Casemiro in recent weeks with the Brazil international recovering from a hamstring injury suffered in early November.
Ten Hag has missed the influence of both Martinez and Casemiro, with the two playing hugely influential roles during his first season at the club where they won the Carabao Cup and finished third in the league.
United host Chelsea on Wednesday night with ten Hag set to face the media on Tuesday afternoon.
Bournemouth come to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon before the visit of Bayern Munich next week.
United must beat the German champions to stand any chance of reaching the knockout stages of the Champions League and will also need other results to go their way on the night.
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The United boss has already lost half the dressing room.