Given that the March international break comes at a point in the season when Manchester United are still competing in three competitions, it is certainly not ideal that Erik ten Hag will be without 17 first-team players at Carrington over the next week or so.
The Reds secured a 3-1 victory over Fulham in their FA Cup quarter-final clash on Sunday afternoon, and it was the ideal way for United to bring an end to what has been a relentless period over the last three months. The club will now have the opportunity to take stock and reflect on what has been a successful spell.
Despite this, United, should they reach the final of both the Europa League and FA Cup, will play 19 more games between now and the end of the season. Therefore, being without so many players will come as a blow to Ten Hag, with several members of his squad linking up with their respective nations.
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United have played 25 matches since the season resumed following the World Cup in Qatar - recording 19 wins, four draws and two defeats. That run included a Carabao Cup final victory over Newcastle. Now, the Reds will be focused on pulling out all the stops to safely navigate the remaining 12 Premier League matches to seal Champions League football in 2023/24, while also aiming to triumph in Europe and in the final domestic cup competition.
With so much still on the line - and many more games to come - Ten Hag could be forgiven for worrying about the fitness of his players during the international break. However, the Dutchman has instead previously spoken about the benefits of the pause in the domestic calendar.
During his time at Ajax, Ten Hag was asked whether he had concerns over his players returning with injuries. His response came as somewhat of a surprise to some people, with the 53-year-old instead choosing to focus on the positive impact that the international break can have.
He said: "No [I'm not worried], because the players are fit, that’s why they get selected. They’re good, you can also look at it that way. That’s often how it goes, that they come back with a lot of energy. Because they get a change of scenery and play style with other players who they have a good click with.
"Secondly, when they come back, they have something to look forward to. That brings so much energy to the team."
While Marcus Rashford has already pulled out of the England squad after picking up a knock in the win over Fulham, the majority of his teammates are expected to play a part for their respective nations. Although Ten Hag will be keen for his players to get minutes in the tank in order to remain sharp, he will certainly be hoping his squad are all fit and healthy ahead of the resumption of the domestic season.
United's players definitely have something to look forward to in the coming weeks and months. The Reds can still end the campaign with three trophies, and while the Premier League title is now an unrealistic aim, finishing the season with a top-four finish, the Carabao Cup, Europa League and FA Cup would be truly remarkable.
As much as anything, the fact the Reds are still competing in every available competition shows how far they have come since Ten Hag joined the club. The international break certainly doesn't come at an ideal time in the season, and the potential of players getting injured is certainly a worry, but it allows United to take stock - and that is equally as important.
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