Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has issued a stark warning about the perils of an increasingly congested football calendar as his team gear up for the start of their Europa League campaign.
With UEFA’s European tournaments having been restructured, fears are mounting over the welfare of players with next year’s expanded Club World Cup also set to add more games.
Ahead of Manchester City’s Champions League opener, midfield general Rodri raised the possibility of player strikes over the relentless schedule, only to pick up a severe knee injury days later.
In an interesting twist of fate, the Red Devils are set to start their continental quest against Ten Hag’s former team, FC Twente, in a beefed-up Europa League group stage that now includes two additional matches and enables 24 out of 36 teams to advance.
Reflecting on the new format, Ten Hag commented, “The format I think we have to take this experience and then judge. But one thing is for sure, I think every match is significant and probably every goal is significant.
“First you get a split after January when the first eight teams qualify (directly to the last 16) and that can help you in February to continue. But when you are in the first 24 you can win this competition, so there’s always an option to win it.”
The United boss stressed the dangers of the current situation, however, saying: “The second part of it we discuss so many times. There are too many games. It’s clear. Too many competitions.
“For the top players, they are overloaded and this is not good for football. In the end of the day it’s maybe good for commercial but there is a limit.”
“It’s almost unavoidable that players get injured because of the overload from so many games. I think as a club alone you can’t change this. It’s more about the total industry.
“It’s about clubs, players and coaches, so many others who are there in football who have to work to improve the game and find the right balance.
“At the end of the day, it’s financial. Also we are professional, so revenues have to come, but we have to balance this out.”
Summer signing Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich concurred with his manager, highlighting the relentless nature of the football calendar.
“There are competition games, cup games, internationals, European Championships, World Cups,” said the defender. “So, if you are poised and prepared you may be playing up to 70 games in a season, which of course isn’t for everyone.”
“It’s likely in most clubs that there will only be one or two players who make it through that season without injuries at all.”
Comments from the United camp come as the team gears up for their next match following a somewhat disappointing 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace.
The result, coming hot on the heels of emphatic victories against Southampton and Barnsley, has Ten Hag calling for more incisiveness from his squad.
“Concerned? We create a lot of chances in the first games of the season,” he said. “Last week we scored seven against Barnsley, so we are capable of scoring many goals.”
“But it’s a part of the game we have to be better in, we have to improve and kill more in the box.”
United approach Wednesday’s clash without new injury concerns, although Leny Yoro, Tyrell Malacia, and Luke Shaw remain sidelined.
