Had the interminable end-of-season review at Manchester United gone against Erik ten Hag then the Dutchman would have had plenty to ponder as he searched for new employment, but he would also have had reason to curse his luck.

The injury crisis that never abated during the course of the season played havoc with Ten Hag’s ability to pick a consistent team and implement the style he wanted and nowhere was this more noticeable than on United’s left flank.

The issues that affected Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw compromised the ability to build play, restricted efforts to play with a high line, robbed the rearguard of some aggression and held back efforts to incorporate Andre Onana’s style into the side.

Martinez and Shaw were fit enough to start just five games together. They began the first two, against Wolves and Tottenham back in August, and then three in a row against Newport County, Wolves and West Ham in the New Year. Four of the five ended in victory.

Of all the injuries that affected the squad last season, these were the most costly in terms of the playing style and the ability to get results. If the campaign had ended with Ten Hag being dismissed, his inability to play Martinez and Shaw together would have been his biggest frustration.

Martinez suffered three separate spells on the sidelines last season and Shaw had two long absences due to muscle problems. The Argentine fought his way back to play a pivotal role in the FA Cup final but the left-back hasn’t played since February 18 and initial hopes that he might make it quickly evaporated.

There is hope they will be reunited in time for the opening of the Premier League season against Fulham at Old Trafford on August 16, however. Martinez has continued his return to action in the Copa America. He played 90 minutes in pre-tournament friendlies against Ecuador and Guatemala, completed the group games against Canada and Chile and on Thursday night he played in the quarter-final win against Ecuador, scoring his country’s goal.

Shaw’s summer has been more frustrating, with a return from a hamstring injury proving more difficult than expected. He hasn’t yet played a minute for England during Euro 2024 but is set to be fit enough to be in the squad against Switzerland in Dusseldorf tonight.

Having worked his way back to fitness, United will hope he at least gets some action in this tournament to get some game time back into his legs. Once England’s participation is over, Shaw will be granted two or three weeks off before either returning to Carrington or linking up with the squad in the United States.

His programme could be slightly different to his teammates if he doesn’t get much game time with England. He will have gone through a full rehabilitation programme only to not get the match fitness at the end of it.

There will still be time to work on that in pre-season and Ten Hag will be hoping that come the start of United’s competitive action, he will be able to pair Martinez and Shaw together once again.