The congested fixture list is taking its toll on footballers and managers – but it’s not easy for the reporters, either

It takes a great deal to get the managers of Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool together on the same page. The great rivals don’t see eye to eye on much, with Premier League points and bragging rights far too precious to cede even the smallest advantage over.

But this weekend saw that rarest of things at the very top of English football: a consensus.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was first to break cover on the relentlessness of his side’s fixture schedule, stating on Saturday afternoon his belief that those in power have “set United up to fail”.

Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola followed suit after watching their teams play out a 1-1 draw on Sunday evening, with the German claiming the current wall-to-wall slate of fixtures will “injure players”.

It's hard not have to have some sympathy with them. United, in particular, have plenty to feel aggrieved about, having played in Istanbul on Wednesday night only to be back in action less than 72 hours later on Saturday lunchtime. City and Liverpool didn't have much longer to prepare, either, ahead of the marquee fixture of the season at the Etihad.  

Players and managers are already feeling the strain of a shortened pre-season coupled with a crammed campaign – and for journalists, too, the stacked calendar takes plenty of negotiating. Sunday marked the 23rd straight day where a Premier League team was in action, whether at home or abroad. Each of those matches must be previewed, reported on, analysed and followed up. Managers’ decisions must be scrutinised, players’ performances assessed.

There’s no respite, either. Those same players now embark on another international break with three games packed into just a week. Must-win qualifiers and Euro 2020 play-offs will put more strain on already stretched bodies – as well as the laptops of those covering them.

Whether playing, managing, watching or writing, the football cycle is certainly showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.  

Yours,

Ben Burrows

Sports editor