Erik ten Hag has suggested Manchester United need a core group of up to 13 players to embark on a winning run.

United have won eight games and lost eight games this season, with five of their losses coming in the Premier League while they have been beaten at Old Trafford five times.

The United squad has been beset by injury and Ten Hag revealed Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez are not expected to return before Christmas.

Tyrell Malacia has been sidelined since pre-season due to knee surgery while Luke Shaw has been out since August 19 with a hamstring tear.

Antony took a leave of absence for a month to address allegations of domestic abuse, which he denies, and United abandoned plans to reintegrate Mason Greenwood into their squad.

“What we have to work on is a stable starting XI, at least with 12 or 13 players,” Ten Hag explained, “then the routines will be better and more chances will be coming.

“Getting more to starting XI, 12, 13 players, you can rotate so you get routines in the team. In this season so far, left-back and right forward position, we have to change a lot and then you swap the team, you don’t get the routines in, also the midfield balance is not there.

“But I’m sure once we get there we will play better, we will improve our game, the performance will be better and form there on.

“I’m happy with the points we get so far. We don’t play well but in a position where we are not too far away and in a position where we can compete for everything.

“Happy with that but we want to play better. That’s absolutely our target.”