Injuries can, in fact, be sheer misfortune — a foul deal with, a mistimed motion — however they may also be cumulative, the impact of a participant pushed too far into what Arsène Wenger used to name the “red zone.” But that isn’t the solely consequence of fatigue. Even if damage is prevented, efficiency can dip.

It is that this, greater than something, that ought to give Solskjaer and Manchester United pause. United’s captain, Harry Maguire, has performed 3,946 minutes this season, an order of magnitude higher than each different outfield participant in England. He has performed the equal of 5 full video games extra this season than his nearest rival, Leicester’s Youri Tielemans.

But Maguire is just not alone. United has seven gamers who’ve performed greater than 2,700 minutes this season. Leicester and Everton have just one, Chelsea two, and Spurs and West Ham three. Even Liverpool, its choices lowered due to all these accidents, has solely 5. If fatigue does show to be an element, the core of United’s aspect is extra prone to be stricken in the ultimate stretch than anybody else.

To some extent, in fact, that’s offset by its sources: Solskjaer has choices ought to any of his key gamers be sidelined or endure an alarming drop in kind. Having to play Donny van de Beek as a result of Bruno Fernandes wants a relaxation ought to be no nice sacrifice.

Indeed, that might be the formulation, greater than some other, that involves outline the subsequent two months, that serves to seek out the sign in the noise of this season. More than in some other season, the ultimate prize on supply in the Premier League will go to the groups that may greatest decrease the results of fatigue, due to a lowered workload or by possessing the power in depth to journey it out. In all the chaos, in the finish, there will likely be some form of order.