Erik ten Hag praises Man United's physical and mental strength amid hectic schedule

Reaching two domestic cup finals means Manchester United will play 61 games this season. Only three other times in United’s history has the team played more than 60: Jose Mourinho’s first season, 2016/17, in which the 64 matches included winning the Europa League and League Cup, then 2020/21 and reaching the final of the Europa League. In 2008/09, United played an astonishing total of 66.

Next week will be the first since the international break when United haven’t had a midweek game. Every single permitted midweek space has been used this year for matches. United played eight games in January and the same in February. In April there were nine, a figure which would have been matched had United reached the Europa League final this month.

Little wonder that some key players have been injured. Playing six games in May is a drop off from recent months, but manager Erik ten Hag maintains his team are coping with the schedule.

“It has had an impact on the whole season but we are doing quite well,” he said ahead of Sunday’s away game at relegation threatened West Ham, the fifth long-distance away game in 18 days. “Not quite well, we’re doing really well. We had a big disadvantage against others, but West Ham is a team with a worst schedule than us. We have shown all season that we can deal with that. We are physically and mentally very strong.”

Though they haven’t played as many games as Manchester United this season, West Ham are still in Europe and play AZ twice in the Europa Conference League semi-finals this month. Those games, like the Europa League matches, are played on a Thursday evening. Manchester United’s aim is to be playing Champions League games on a Tuesday and Wednesday next season.

“It’s a great advantage