Too many games – Erik ten Hag says injuries ‘almost unavoidable’ due to overload

Erik ten Hag warned expanded schedules are making injuries almost unavoidable for overloaded players as Manchester United prepare for their opener in the new-look Europa League.

Revamped European competitions and next summer’s extended Club World Cup have increased concerns within the game about the pressures players are facing.

Rodri suggested on the eve of Manchester City’s Champions League campaign that players could strike over increasing fixture congestion, just days before appearing to sustain a serious knee injury.

United open their own continental campaign at home to Ten Hag’s former club FC Twente on Wednesday in a Europa League group phase that sees two extra games and 24 of the 36 teams progress.

“The format I think we have to take this experience and then judge,” Ten Hag said. “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 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.”

Asked what can be done to alter this, Ten Hag said: “I think as a club alone you can’t change this. It’s more about the total industry.

We are back!