Manchester United is set to kick off their Europa League campaign against Twente today, but manager Erik ten Hag has expressed concerns about the increasing number of fixtures and its impact on player welfare.
“The format, I think we have to take this experience and then judge,” Ten Hag said in a pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
“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,” he said.
Ten Hag’s comments come amid growing concerns about fixture congestion, exacerbated by expanded European events and next summer’s extended Club World Cup. Manchester City midfielder Rodri recently suggested that players might consider going on strike to protest the overwhelming schedule, before reportedly suffering a season-ending knee injury.
The Europa League’s new 36-team league phase will see each club play eight matches, adding to the already packed schedule. Ten Hag emphasized the risks of player overload, stating, “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.”
When asked about potential solutions, Ten Hag acknowledged that individual clubs cannot effect change alone.
“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,” he said.
United’s focus on today will be on securing a positive result against Twente, a club close to Ten Hag’s heart. The Dutchman came through the youth ranks at Twente and had three spells as a player before transitioning into coaching.
“Of all the teams, Twente is the team that I follow the most,” Ten Hag revealed.
“I watch them as a fan, as a supporter, not as an analyst. It’s a different way of watching their games… I would have preferred to have played against somebody else. It’s not nice to have to hurt something you love,” he said.
Ahead of the match, Ten Hag also addressed United’s recent struggles in front of goal. Despite creating numerous chances, the team has managed only seven points from five Premier League games.
“Concerned? We create a lot of chances in the first games of the season,” Ten Hag 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,” he said.
As Manchester United embarks on their Europa League journey, Ten Hag’s warnings about fixture congestion serve as a reminder of the broader challenges facing the sport.
