Varane retires, latest injury to Rodri, Carabao Cup, Europa League

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter at BBC Sport

It wasn't entirely convincing in the context of his reasoning for leaving Marcus Rashford on the bench at Crystal Palace on Saturday, but Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag underlined the problem facing every club in Europe this season.

More games and travel mean shorter seasons and fewer off weeks. The risk of injury is high and managers have to find their own way through the schedule.

United had the EFL Cup last week, the Europa League this week and next, then international matches – and so on. If United reach the semi-finals of the EFL Cup, they won't have a free midweek until well into the spring.

If Chelsea survive their next EFL Cup game, they will also play their last UEFA Conference League game in the quarter-finals in the same week.

“As a club you can't change that, it's about the whole industry, it's about clubs, players and so many others who are at the heart of football,” he said.

“You have to work on improving the game and finding the right balance.

“Ultimately, it is a financial matter.

“We are professional, the income has to come in, but we have to balance it out.”