Erik Ten Hag has expressed concerns about the growing risk of injury for top players due to an increased number of fixtures, as Manchester United prepares for their opening game in the revamped Europa League. The expansion of European competitions and the extended Club World Cup have raised alarms about player workloads.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri recently suggested the possibility of a player strike over fixture congestion, shortly before suffering a reported season-ending knee injury.
United begins their Europa League campaign against Twente in a 36-team league phase on Wednesday. Ten Hag acknowledged that there are too many games and competitions, which overload top players, increasing the risk of injury. While noting the commercial benefits, he emphasized that a balance must be struck between revenue generation and player welfare.
Manchester United’s recent performances have been mixed, including a goalless draw against Crystal Palace, leaving them outside the Premier League top 10, despite a 7-0 League Cup win over Barnsley.