Players Faking Injury

I was reading an article this week in which it revealed the Manchester United manager believed a number of his players in his squad had faked injuries due to media pressure. The fear of failure and being highlighted by the media apparently lead many players to try and avoid playing for the team through injury.

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This list was only up until February so there was still another 8 weeks left.

Last season United's 38 man squad had 66 cases of reported injuries and sickness which does sound rather high. Football may be still considered a contact sport but we know it isn't really as the rules protect the players these days.

Surely if you were a member of any team sport and players were avoiding playing you would get the hump. The manager obviously felt this was happening and surely those players he has suspicions over should be the first ones out the door no matter who they are.

I can only imagine how tough it can be when you are part of a team that is over rated with a fan base expecting trophies when realistically the team is only capable of a mid table finish. Miracles can happen however, but for those miracles to happen you need players willing to give it their all by trying their best.

I can recall a rugby season where we lost roughly half the team with many players turning professional and chasing contracts elsewhere. This changed the teams dynamics immediately because we had gone from being a league title contender and were now favorites to be relegated.

The string of results that followed were dismal which ended up with the team training every besides match days which in hind sight made thigs worse. The players were worn out 8 weeks into the season with the players bought in to fill the gaps left by the departures not exactly pulling their weight due to not being good enough.

The team eventually avoided relegation but this was definitely the hardest season I have ever played because you were having to do double the work load in every game. If the less talented players had taken on that attitude I am sure the results could have been far different.

I think after hearing what Manchester United went through last season and if it is true then the players that played in most matches together are the core team you need to keep ad o off load the rest as quickly as possible. A team needs fighters, not pussies and will never be a team until those players have been removed. Being a professional sportsmen attitude is everything and what sets you apart from the other players. I know of players that have played with injuries and lived with the pain so someone faking an injury or sickness that is a professional athlete should choose another career path. This just sounds far too cushy whilst being paid a hefty salary at the same time.

I do not know what the ruling is with the player contracts but knowing that in rugby you drop down to 75% pay and then to 50% within a 3 month period of being injured. A friend of mine was on 25% pay after tearing his cruciate knee ligaments. This creates a wanting to get back into action as soon as possible due to the pay cut. During the time you are away from the squad there is a definite fear you may lose your spot if other players in your position perform and why what United is saying is not quite shocking, but a nightmare that should never ever happen.

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