Manchester United's manager, Erik ten Hag, has expressed concerns regarding the rising number of injuries among elite soccer players due to an increasingly packed match schedule.

Rodri, a midfielder for Manchester City, exited the recent English Premier League match against Arsenal with a knee injury. Meanwhile, other prominent players such as Kevin De Bruyne and Martin Odegaard have also been unavailable early in the season.

Rodri's injury occurred shortly after he raised alarms about the congested fixture list, suggesting that players might consider strike action.

In comments made prior to United's Europa League encounter with FC Twente, Ten Hag emphasized that the demands placed on players are excessive. "There are too many games. It’s evident. The number of competitions is excessive," he stated on Tuesday. "Top players are being overloaded, which is detrimental to football. While it may benefit commercial interests, there is a threshold that should not be crossed."

He added, "It is nearly inevitable that players will sustain injuries due to the strain of so many matches."

Manchester City has yet to disclose the full details of Rodri’s injury, although he was seen in Spain reportedly undergoing medical evaluations. Reports from British media suggest there are concerns that he may have sustained an ACL injury, potentially leading to a lengthy recovery period.

City has not made any official statements regarding these reports.

Last week, City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, indicated that it is the responsibility of the players to advocate for change in light of the ongoing issues surrounding the congested schedule.

This season, the Champions League has been expanded, introducing two additional matches in the revamped group stage. Next year, the Club World Cup will also see an increase in teams, growing from seven to 32, and is scheduled to take place during the offseason for many major leagues in June and July.

This expansion has led to a legal challenge from players' unions.

FIFPRO, the global players' union, has voiced its concerns about the escalating physical and mental pressures on players, while the European Club Association, which includes top clubs like United and City, has welcomed the new competitions.