While not many Manchester United fans prefer international football over club football, plenty would agree that the March international break has come at a good time for Erik ten Hag's side given their heavy load of late.
Should United reach the finals of both the Europa League and FA Cup, they will play 19 more times this term - 12 in the Premier League, five in Europe and twice in the FA Cup. The Reds have already played 46 matches this season, with the likes of Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes playing in the majority of them.
Having already won the Carabao Cup this season, United - who are just a few wins away from guaranteeing a top-four finish - will be desperate to bring more silverware back to Old Trafford in Ten Hag's first campaign in charge. To do that, they will need to find a way to manage their players amid the hectic fixture schedule. Although some players relish playing every three days or so, others simply can't manage it.
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Marcel Sabitzer, by his own admission, is a player that will be able to cope with the staggering amount of games to come in the coming weeks and months. The midfielder, who arrived on loan from Bayern Munich in the January transfer window, has played nine times for the Reds since arriving at Old Trafford - grabbing his first goal in the FA Cup win over Fulham on Sunday.
Only five of his appearances have come as a starter under Ten Hag, but the 29-year-old Austrian has already demonstrated that he can play a part for United in the latter stages of the season. Earlier this month, the midfield ace admitted that the hectic schedule was actually helping him following his winter arrival.
"I think so," he told United Review when asked if the hectic schedule has helped him settle in. "Every footballer loves the games. That’s good we have a lot of games. We are fit, we are ready and enjoying the moment.
"One hundred per cent [I can play three games a week]. I saw the comment Bruno [Fernandes] did and it was the same for me. I want to play every day, if possible, I am ready for every game."
During his first interview with club media, it was a similar message from Sabitzer. He outlined what he wanted to achieve during his time in England, while also expressing his excitement about the number of matches.
Unlike other players, he was actually buzzing with the amount of games he would be able to feature in - and the chance to win trophies was even more enticing.
He said: "That’s what I like the most in football: games, games, games. I’m ready for this and I can’t wait. I will give all for the jersey, I will put in everything. I am very happy to be here. I will give my best and we will see what happens. But I am here to win trophies and that’s the way."
With so many games to come, and Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek still sidelined through injury, Sabitzer will need to stay true to his word and be available for selection as often as possible. He has already shown why United were more than happy to get a deal for him over the line in January, but his success will probably be measured by his showings in the business end of the season.
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