Erik ten Hag believes Manchester United's elimination from European competition could aid their efforts to finish in the Premier League top four.
United finished bottom of Champions League Group A with four points, which also meant they avoided a Europa League play-off in February as they did not come third.
A fixture quirk has left United with a maximum of three games to play in January, with only one in the Premier League at home to Tottenham.
United have a two-week winter break in the New Year while they could only have five fixtures in February as they prepare for free midweeks. READ MORE: United give injury updates on four players vs Liverpool READ MORE: United's transfer budget set to be impacted by Champions League elimination United have recorded 30 cases of injury or illness among their squad members already this season and Ten Hag has repeatedly stressed the enforced changes have compromised the team's form. "Yeah, I think the way you describe it, that's true," Ten Hag said of a possible benefit. "We have had so many injuries in the first part of the season but now we have less games so the load will be less and that can give players the opportunity to recover.