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 tonight.

Revamped European competitions and next summer’s extended Club World Cup have increased concerns within the game about the pressures players are under.

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.