Jose Mourinho's criticism of the busy and demanding schedule of fixtures in English football has been ongoing all season and the issue is set to get worse.
Manchester United face four games in ten days - starting with the first leg of their Europa League semi-final away to Celta Vigo on Thursday - as they aim to finish in the top four in the Premier League and win Europe's second-tier club competition.
Record signing Paul Pogba, to the Portuguese's relief, is set to return from injury for their imminent European tie, while they will have to see out the remainder of the season without key names such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Juan Mata.
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Those injuries have been untimely and done nothing to settle Mourinho's qualms about the chaotic end to the season his Red Devils side face - a period that is set to define the former Chelsea boss' first season in charge at Old Trafford.
United are currently a point and a place behind fourth-placed Manchester City - failing to capitalise on their cross-city rivals 2-2 draw at Middlesbrough with a draw of their own draw at home to Swansea on Sunday - and both sides will boast a game in hand over Liverpool following the Reds' trip to Watford on Monday night.
Ultimately, the Red Devils' top-four chances are in their own hands should they win their remaining four league games, but Mourinho will also be aware that a return to the Champions League could be secured by winning the Europa League.
Mourinho needs to win, over two legs, against Spanish outfit Celta Vigo and win the final against either Lyon or Ajax to earn a return to Europe's elite club competition.
Mourinho facing prioritisation dilemma
But while the Europa League would seem an easier route for United to guarantee Champions League football on paper, there can be no assurances and will, therefore, have to fight on two fronts - in both the Premier League and Europe League.
Both Liverpool and City face comparatively easier league run-ins compared to United - who are still to head to Arsenal and title-chasing Tottenham - meaning the Europa League is becoming an ever-more attractive route for Mourinho to secure Champions League football.
Should United win their semi-final, they will go on to face a seventh fixture in May, with the Europa League final set to take place three days after their last league game against Crystal Palace on the Sunday.
And Mourinho has confessed he may be forced to field a weakened team against the south Londoners in order to rest his key men for the Wednesday final in Stockholm.
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"You are punished for doing well," said Mourinho, per the Mirror. "And if we beat Celta, we have the final - in this moment it is obviously hypothetical - but the Europa League final is on the Wednesday and we play against Crystal Palace on the Sunday and before that we play Southampton away two days before.
"They want us to play the final, and with all respect with Celta - it's a hypothetical situation - that we would be playing the final in disaster consequences.
"So again maybe this result is also a blessing, because maybe I can bring Nicky Butt and his team to play against Crystal Palace."
Such action by the 54-year-old could result in United being fined by the Premier League for fielding a weakened side. But their rivals results over the final few games of the season could dictate whether Mourinho needs to take such action.