November 26, (THEWILL) – Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag, has claimed that top-level football has already reached its limits in terms of what players can handle, as his team prepares for three critical away matches in the space of just 6 days.
Speaking on the issue, Ten Hag argued that mounting fixtures schedule is unsustainable, noting that managers across Europe have been vocalising similar complaints. “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,” he remarked.
The comments come as injury-hit United scramble to build momentum, having won four of their last five EPL games to lift themselves to 8th in the table. After Sunday’s trip to Everton, they travel to Istanbul to face a must-win UCL tie with Galatasaray on Wednesday, before another stern test at Newcastle next Saturday.
Ten Hag confessed that clubs are being forced to make difficult decisions between upholding performance levels in training and risking player burnout. “You have to do it smart. Every team knows you have to suffer and sacrifice,” he noted. With 3 gruelling away trips in quick succession, the Dutchman is confident that if his squad can match the physicality of their upcoming opponents, their attacking quality will shine through.
United have Shaw returning from injury to bolster their defence, but will be without banned boss Ten Hag on the touchline at Goodison Park.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
