'Good for commercial' - Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag criticises new Europa League format

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has criticised the new Uefa competition formats, suggesting the commercial aspect has been prioritised over football.

United begin their Europa League campaign against Twente on Wednesday night in the league format of 36 teams. Each team plays eight games and the top eight automatically qualify for the round-of-16. The teams that finish between ninth and 24th play a two-legged knockout tie to progress to the last 16.

Ten Hag guided United to the quarter-finals of the Europa League two seasons ago and they could play 17 games in the competition if they reach the final.

"I think there are two things you address," Ten Hag said. "First of all, the format: we have to take this experience and then judge.

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"But one thing is for sure, every match is significant and every goal is significant. First you get split after January, the first eight teams qualify and that can help you in February continue. But if you are in the first 24 you can win this competition, so there’s always an option to win it.

"The other part, we discuss it so many times. Yeah, there are too many games, it's clear, too many competitions. For the top players, they are overloaded, this is not good for football. Maybe it’s good for commercial.

"But there is a limit and players getting injured is almost unavoidable because of the overload from so many games.

"As a club, alone, you can’t change this. It’s more about the total industry. It’s about clubs, players, coaches and so many others who are there in the environment of football have to work to improve the game and find the right balance.

"At the end of the day, it’s financial. We are professional, so revenues have to come, but we have to balance this out."

United thrashed Barnsley 7-0 in the League Cup last week in only the sixth game they have scored at least seven goals in this century. However, they have managed a meagre five goals in five Premier League games, leaving them with a goal difference of zero.

United have created 17 big chances in the Premier League - more than any other side - but Ten Hag is eager for the players to become more clinical in front of goal.

"We create a lot of chances in the first games of the season," Ten Hag added. "Last week, we scored seven against Barnsley, we are capable of scoring many goals, but it’s a part of the game we have to improve and kill in the box.

"There are different aspects on this. Most important is you create chances and we create a lot of good moments. We are very creative, we have many opportunities to score goals. Keep this process going and finishing to work on."