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Manchester United have been given a golden opportunity to refresh their season and keep their top four hopes alive, with a lengthy break between games.

Liverpool's FA Cup exploits meant Ralf Rangnick's side weren't in action over the weekend: their trip to Anfield will have to wait, but they do now havegiving them more time to recover from the mental toil of their Champions League elimination. And, by the time United's players return after the international break with a game at home to Leicester City, 18 days will have passed since they lost to Atletico Madrid at Old Trafford.

Rangnick's men have been in this position before, though, and failed to make the most of the opportunity. That chance was squandered back in December, and United's fans will hope their manager and players have learned from those mistakes.

It must be noted that the previous break wasn't in identical circumstances. In that case, it was Covid rather than cup results and international responsibilities to blame, so naturally the preparations were a little different.

A game against Brentford, scheduled for December 14, was pushed back following an outbreak in the United squad. A meeting with Brighton & Hove Albion - originally pencilled in for four days after the trip to the Brentford Community Stadium - was also