Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has highlighted the Europa League as a route to Champions League qualification as the Red Devils prepare to get their campaign underway this week.
As United prepare for the Dutchman’s boyhood club FC Twente, Ten Hag admitted that while the competition will be challenging, it is a crucial part of their broader ambitions.
Speaking to the media, he said: “An opportunity and more roads to achieve the target you want.
“It is the most difficult [pathway to the Champions League], probably.
“In a tournament of 32, you have to be the best. It is a target and a road we want to go.
“As you know we want to win all the competitions we take part in, but we have to go game by game.”
Beyond the Europa League, Ten Hag also criticised the increasing number of games players are expected to play in, raising concerns about their physical capacity.
A European night at Old Trafford 🔜🏟️#MUFC || #UEL pic.twitter.com/Yy9G6ZjME4
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 23, 2024
The packed fixture schedule, particularly for top clubs participating in multiple competitions, has led to injuries becoming “almost unavoidable,” according to the United boss.
He went on to highlight the long-term implications of such a high volume of matches on player performance and overall fitness.
“We discussed it so many times there are too many games – the top players are overloaded,” he added.
“It is not good for football. Maybe it is good for commercial [purposes]. There is a limit and players are getting injuries.”
Regarding the new format of the Europa League, Ten Hag stressed that every match and goal is critical and any slip-ups could prove costly in the tournament.
And as the campaign goes on, United will need to carefully navigate the balance between success in Europe and managing to stay in touch with teams around them in the Premier League.
