United fly to Dubai for warm weather training
Jose Mourinho and his Manchester United players have flown out to Dubai for a warm weather training camp.
With a week to go until United's next match, against managerless Stoke City on 15 January, Mourinho has chosen this time to give his players a change of scenery by taking them to the Middle East.
"We need to recover but at the same time we also need to train, because during this crazy time we have not had many times to work on details."
As the boss explained to MUTV, he is relishing the opportunity to spend some time on tactical work, having had to focus almost solely on rest and recuperation in the last few weeks.
"We need to recover but at the same time we also need to train because during this crazy time we have not had many times to work on details that you want to work on," he explained.
"It’s been more about the recovery from the match and the travelling and the preparations for the next one without time to work.
"If we can have time to have a good, nice week to recover some injured players and tired players and, at the same time, work on some tactical details I think it would be good for the second part of the season."
ManUtd.com's Mark Froggatt...
"Mourinho's squad appears to be in confident mood following the important wins over Everton in the Premier League and Derby County in the FA Cup, plus a rare weekend off, so this trip to Dubai will only enhance the mood. It also represents a vital opportunity to take stock of the season, and to concentrate the mind on the challenges that lie ahead.
"You cannot underestimate the importance of rest and recuperation, either. The last month has been extremely taxing on the mind and body, with so many fixtures to contest over the festive period, so this week-long trip to Dubai is undoubtedly a shrewd move from the boss and his coaching staff.
"The group will return on Friday evening, ready for the top-flight game against Stoke City on Monday night and the second half of what continues to be an exciting campaign."