(Reuters) – Manchester United’s manager Erik ten Hag has expressed concern over the increasing number of injuries and the busy schedule the Premier League club faces. The latest additions to United’s injury list are Denmark duo Christian Eriksen and Rasmus Hojlund, joining Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro as long-term absentees. As a result, the record 20-time top-flight champions are currently eighth in the standings after amassing 21 points from 12 matches, marking their worst start to a season since 1962.
The Champions League is set to undergo changes from the 2024-25 season, with the group stage expanding to accommodate 36 teams instead of the current 32. This will entail a single-league format and each team playing a minimum of 10 games against 10 different opponents, compared to the current six.
“Every manager is complaining about the schedule,” Ten Hag told reporters. “But still, they keep adding games to the schedule. Next year they add again two games (in the new Champions League format) and the limits are … we already achieved the limits. I think we already crossed the limits of what players can handle.”
United will face a demanding week away from home, with a Champions League clash against Galatasaray on Wednesday followed by a Premier League fixture against sixth-placed Newcastle United on Saturday at St James’ Park.
“And then what we see now in the first 12 Premier League games, the physical standards are even higher in comparison to last year. You have a choice to make. Either you match it by training and preparation, or you drop off,” the Dutchman said.
“So that is a decision that every club has to make, every team has to make, every individual has to make.”
United will also face Everton, which recently became the first Premier League club to be deducted points for breaching financial sustainability rules, at Goodison Park later on Sunday. The independent commission imposed an immediate 10-point deduction, causing Everton to drop to second-from-bottom from 14th in the standings.
(Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru; Editing by Edmund Klamann)
