Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag has expressed dissatisfaction at the number of games players have to face and will leave them facing the rusk of injuries and his side begins their campaign in the new-look UEFA Europa League.
The expanded European competitions and next summer’s Club World Cup have increased concerns about player welfare amid their growing workloads.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri admitted it was a possibility that players would go on strike to protest against the congested fixtures, and days after the Spaniard has now suffered what looks to be a season-ending knee injury.
The Red Devils kickstart their Europa League journey against Twente on Wednesday in what is now a 36-team league phase competition which sees each team play eight matches.
“The format I think we have to take this experience and then judge,” Ten Hag said in his pre-match press conference.
“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.”
Quizzed on what can be done to improve the situation, the Dutch coach added: “I think as a club alone you can’t change this. It’s more about the total industry.
“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.”
