Man Utd: Solskjaer says 'I expect a lot from the team this year'
Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City’s respective managers have voiced their concerns over the festive fixtures. The Red Devils have to play nine games in 29 days.
A hectic schedule throughout the Christmas and New Year period is a tradition deeply embedded in English football.
While other nations take a winter break, the Premier League does the complete opposite and ramps up the calendar with a match taking place almost every day.
United thrashed Newcastle 4-1 yesterday and will return to action 48 hours later when they travel to Burnley.
But Solskjaer, who experienced the same fate when he was a player, feels sympathy for his young squad.
"I don't think it is fair on the boys at all," Solskjaer said.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has complained about the festive fixtures (Image: GETTY)
"I don't think it is fair to be expected to perform at the best of your level, both mentally and physically, 48 hours after you have played.
"But I think we are in the best position to perform on Saturday. The game [against Newcastle] was over after 45 minutes and we are young.
"We have a great chance against Burnley to perform at the best level because our boys do, when you are 23, which is the average age of the outfield starting players today, that will make it easier for us to recover than Burnley I think.
"They played until the end against Everton. We were done after 45 minutes and used the second half as recovery. But it is not fair, especially when a game at Watford has just gone and there will be a game New Year's Day."
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