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.

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“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.

“It’s about clubs, players and coaches, so many others who are there in football who have to work to improve the game and find the right balance.

“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.”

Full-back Noussair Mazraoui, who arrived at Old Trafford from Bayern Munich in the summer, spoke separately to his manager but expressed similar views about the impact of the schedules.

“There are competition games, cup games, internationals, European Championships, World Cups,” the Morocco international said.

“So, if you are poised and prepared you may be playing up to 70 games in a season, which of course isn’t for everyone.

“It’s likely in most clubs that there will only be one or two players who make it through that season without injuries at all.”

United head into the Twente encounter having failed to take their chances in Saturday’s 0-0 stalemate at Crystal Palace.

That draw followed a 3-0 win at Southampton and 7-0 Carabao Cup defeat of Barnsley, but Ten Hag knows more of a cutting edge is needed.

“Concerned? We create a lot of chances in the first games of the season,” he 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.”

Wednesday will be a special night for Ten Hag, who came through the youth ranks at Twente and spent three spells there as a player before moving into coaching at the club.

“Of all the teams, Twente is the team that I follow the most,” said the United boss, who helped the club win the 2000-01 KNVB Cup.

“I watch them as a fan, as a supporter, not as an analyst. It’s a different way of watching their games.”

Asked about facing the club, Ten Hag said: “I would have preferred to have played against somebody else. It’s not nice to have to hurt something you love.”

United have no fresh injury concerns heading into Wednesday’s match, with defenders Leny Yoro, Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw still unavailable.

The club had hoped the latter would be back after the September international break, but his absence with a calf complaint could now extend until after the October internationals.

“I think it’s probably (before the break) but I can’t say I’m 100 per cent sure,” Ten Hag said.

“The plan is just to be back before but as I say I can’t say this 100 per cent for sure. It can also be shortly after the break.”