Two-week international break is fantastic for Manchester United – Sir Alex Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson (Getty images)

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has often spoken out against international breaks midway through the season, condemning them as a hindrance, but the Old Trafford boss feels the current round of fixtures have come at a welcome time.
While the international break carries the risk of more players returning injured, it should allow some squad members time to recover from injuries they were already carrying in time for the next round of Premier League games at the turn of the month.

“It’s come at an absolutely fantastic time for us,” Ferguson told MUTV. “We’ve got the bonus of two weeks’ rest to patch up the injuries, and hopefully that’ll be the biggest break of all.”

United go into the break with a five-point lead ahead of Arsenal, having played a game more, and Ferguson feels the increased squad size could prove the difference in the title race.

“It’s a great lead,” he said. “Obviously they’ve got a game in hand, Arsenal, but we’ve got the points and we don’t need to worry about that part. If we get the players back, all our major players, we’ll have a great chance.

“I’d have loved to have given Ji-Sung Park a bit of a game against Bolton on Saturday, but when we went to 10 men we were hamstrung a bit there. But I get Ji back in two weeks’ time, away at West Ham.

“Vidic will be back, Darren Fletcher hopefully will be back, and hopefully if, bit by bit, we can get them all together, we’ll have a great chance.”