With 17 Manchester United players jetting off for international duty over the next fortnight, Erik ten Hag will be left with a threadbare squad at the most inconvenient of times.
Such breaks rarely come at a preferable time for club managers, and Ten Hag in particular will be concerned not to lose the momentum gathered in the months between the World Cup and now. United returned from an unprecedented winter break in scintillating form, winning eight consecutive games and going on to win 19 of their 25 in all competitions.
Wins against Barcelona and Real Betis saw the Reds into the last-eight of the Europa League - where they will face Sevilla - while Sunday's chaotic 3-1 win over Fulham booked a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals and a tie against Brighton & Hove Albion. Among those performances came the small matter of a first trophy in six years with victory over Newcastle in the Carabao Cup.
