Man United boss weighs in on Premier League team fixture issues after rival's injury woes

City midfielder Rodri was forced off with a knee injury in their draw with Arsenal on Sunday, and it’s understood he could miss the rest of the season - a massive worry for Pep Guardiola as his side look to retain the league title.

In a cruel twist of fate, Rodri’s injury came just days after he spoke out about players’ workload. The Spaniard said there may come a point where players have “no other option” but to consider strike action. He himself played 63 times for club and country last season, despite FIFPRO’s recommendation of a maximum of 50-60.

Now, Manchester United’s manager Erik ten Hag has said injuries are “almost unavoidable” because of the amount of matches.

"There are too many games - the top players are overloaded. It is not good for football. Maybe it is good for commercial (reasons).

"There is a limit and players are getting injuries. It is almost unavoidable because of the overload of so many games.

"I think, as a club alone, you can't change this. It's more about the total industry. It's about clubs, and players, and coaches, and so many others, who are there in the environment of football, who have to work on this to improve the game, but of course to find the right balance, because in the end of the day, it's financial. And also, we are professional, so revenues have to come. But, yeah, we have to balance this out."

Ten Hag was speaking ahead of United’s first Europa League game of the season tomorrow night against FC Twente. This year’s competition has been expanded to include even more games with the introduction of a new league format. Their neighbours Manchester City are playing in the Champions League, which has grown in the same way. A FIFPRO report published in September says that the increasingly congested calendar for professional footballers may raise the likelihood of injuries.

City could end up playing as many as 76 matches in the 2024/25 campaign between their European, domestic, and Club World Cup commitments. However, they might be without Rodri for some or all of that. The midfielder was able to walk off the pitch rather than being carried on a stretcher, but some reports - including from The Athletic - say he will be out for a significant period.