Manchester United Football Club News

• Nickname:Red Devils
• Founded:1878
• Manager:Sir Alex Ferguson

• Ground:Old Trafford
• Capacity:68,174

Fergie happy with weekend off

12 Feb 2010 - 08:47:11

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Sir Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United will benefit from a rare weekend off ahead of their Champions League clash with AC Milan.

United travel to Italy to face the Serie A giants in the first leg of a last 16 European tie next Tuesday.

However, their shock FA Cup exit at the hands of Leeds United last month means they will not be in action on fifth-round weekend.

"In terms of preparing for a European tie we are pleased to have a free weekend," said Ferguson.

"AC Milan are playing on Friday night. That is the kind of help European teams get from their countries. We don't get that here.

"By fortune we don't have a game on Saturday because we are out of the FA Cup and we are going to take full advantage of it.

"The players will have a couple of days off because they have worked hard and we will start again on Saturday."

United will definitely be without Ryan Giggs for both legs of the knockout tie after the veteran Welshman was confirmed to have broken his arm during Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.