Sir Alex Ferguson has welcomed the long break that his players are going to be able to have with no World Cup or European Championships to worry about.
The Manchester United manager knows that the years ending in odd numbers are valuable chances for high-profile footballers to take a rest. Ferguson is preparing for the last Premiership game of the season when Manchester United play away at Tottenham.
The Red Devils boss wants to make one last assault on Europe in his last year of his job and some of the players he is likely to use in the next campaign are already being rested.
The practise of fielding a team which is missing several senior professionals has, in the past, been a controversial one.
However, the thinking behind the policy is to avoid adding to the load already about to be placed on the backs of players who represent their respective countries' World Cup hopes as well as their club's European aspirations.
The efforts that will be required during 2001-2002 are, Ferguson feels, something they won't respond to as well if they don't have space to breathe now.
Even though Sir Alex planned to take a full-strength squad to Celtic for Tommy Boyd’s testimonial game, which will also see former Celtic legend Bobby Murdoch remembered, his intention has been to play a weakened side against Glenn Hoddle’s men in the last Premiership game of 2000-2001.
“Celtic is a prestige game, but I’m happy to give some of the players a break now,” he said.
“But having 30 days off during the summer has got to be good for them. It should be a great season next season.”
The United boss insists that his team will be better in his final season in charge at Old Trafford after another disappointing performance in the Champions League.
Despite winning the Premiership at a canter once more, Ruud Van Nistelrooy has already been brought in to strengthen the squad and more new arrvivals have been promised as Ferguson looks to go out in style, hopefully with a Champions League final appearance at Scotland's national stadium Hampden Park. |
