As the 2024/25 season approaches, Manchester United faces a challenge in managing their squad effectively across multiple competitions, particularly the Europa League and Premier League. After an injury-riddled 2023/24 campaign, Erik ten Hag will need to ensure his team can juggle the demands of both domestic and European football, especially given the tight turnaround between Europa League fixtures and Premier League matches.
The Europa League group stage for 2024/25 has been restructured, meaning United will play eight group games starting in late September and extending into January. This is a significant shift, as previous seasons had more of these games packed in before the winter break. While the new schedule is more spread out, the logistics of balancing these European fixtures with Premier League commitments remain complex, and managing player fitness and rotations will be crucial.
Europa League Fixtures: The following are United’s confirmed Europa League group stage fixtures:
- 25 September 2024: FC Twente (H) 8pm
- 3 October 2024: Porto (A) 8pm
- 24 October 2024: Fenerbahce (A) 8pm
- 7 November 2024: PAOK (H) 8pm
- 28 November 2024: Bodo/Glimt (H) 8pm
- 12 December 2024: Viktoria Plzen (A) 5:45pm
- 23 January 2025: Rangers (H) 8pm
- 30 January 2025: Steaua Bucharest (A) 8pm
Premier League Fixtures After Europa League Games: Manchester United’s Premier League matches that follow Europa League fixtures present some challenging scheduling conflicts:
- Weekend after FC Twente (H): Manchester United vs. Tottenham
- Weekend after Porto (A): Aston Villa vs. Manchester United
- Weekend after Fenerbahce (A): West Ham vs. Manchester United
- Weekend after PAOK (H): Manchester United vs. Leicester
- Weekend after Bodo/Glimt (H): Manchester United vs. Everton
- Weekend after Viktoria Plzen (A): Manchester City vs. Manchester United
- Weekend after Rangers (H): Fulham vs. Manchester United
- Weekend after Steaua Bucharest (A): Manchester United vs. Crystal Palace
For United, several of these fixtures represent tough tests, especially after long European away trips. For instance, the away match at Porto is followed by a tough trip to Aston Villa, which could prove difficult for United after a midweek flight to Portugal. Similarly, after facing Fenerbahce in Turkey, United will have to travel to West Ham for a Premier League match, adding extra strain to the schedule.
One of the most difficult stretches will come in December, when United faces Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium just days after playing away at Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League. While City will also be away in the Champions League, they will have an extra day of rest, making United’s task even harder.
By January, United will have a more favorable turnaround following a trip to Romania to face Steaua Bucharest, with a home game against Crystal Palace scheduled immediately afterward. If United secures qualification for the knockout rounds of the Europa League by this point, they may be able to approach the game with a bit more flexibility, though the scheduling issues will still be a challenge.
Challenges for Ten Hag: Overall, the fixture list does not fall in United’s favor. The toughest away games in this stretch are against Aston Villa, West Ham, and Manchester City, all of which are preceded by European away matches. The challenges of playing away in the Europa League midweek and traveling for demanding Premier League games will test United’s squad depth and Erik ten Hag’s ability to rotate players effectively without compromising results.
In addition to the physical toll on players, the mental and tactical challenge of handling these tight turnarounds, particularly when facing rivals in the Premier League, will be crucial for United. Ten Hag will need to ensure that key players remain fit and fresh throughout the campaign, avoiding injuries that have plagued the squad in recent seasons.
In conclusion, Manchester United’s schedule in the 2024/25 season presents significant obstacles, particularly due to the demanding Europa League schedule and its subsequent impact on Premier League performances. Proper squad management, rotations, and strategic planning will be essential for Ten Hag to navigate this period successfully and keep the team competitive on multiple fronts.