Manchester City will play two games in less than 48 hours owing to Manchester United’s Europa League schedule.Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City team drew 2-2 with Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, with John Stones’ 98th-minute goal securing a point in a competitive championship race.

The Premier League champions will face Watford in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday evening, their second game in three days. The game has been moved forward from the original Wednesday slot to accommodate United’s encounter against Dutch side FC Twente as part of the reshuffled Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League games.

According to The Mirror, UEFA declined to reschedule the Twente match, despite the fact that United’s next league encounter is on Sunday. That left the clubs with no choice but to comply with Greater Manchester Police’s decision not to allow both matches to be played on the same day owing to security concerns, a circumstance not witnessed since October 2015.

Ironically, the showdown comes only a week after Manchester City’s Rodri expressed worries about players’ heavy workloads. Concerns over player welfare, along with a congested European calendar, have sparked speculation that players may strike.

“I think we are close to that,” Rodri stated before Sunday’s match against Arsenal. “It is easy to grasp. I believe it’s something generic. I believe any player would say the same thing.

The Spanish midfielder, who is currently out due to a knee injury sustained against Arsenal, stated, “I think it’s the general opinion of the players.” And if things continue this way, I believe we will be left with no other alternative, but let’s see. I’m not sure what’s going to happen, but it bothers us since we are the ones that suffer.

Drawing on personal experience, Rodri emphasized the unsustainable nature of present demands: “From my experience, I can tell you that 60-70 [games each season]? No. The number of games in which a player can perform at their peak ranges between 40 and 50. After then, you drop since it is difficult to maintain your physical level.

“This year, we can get to 70, maybe 80, I’m not sure. It depends on how far you get in the tournaments. In my honest view, I believe that is too much.

City are uncertain how long Rodri will be out, but he will undoubtedly miss the game against the Hornets. There are worries that the Ballon d’Or candidate would miss the rest of the season after early test results showed damage to his ACL.

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