Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is reportedly taking steps to ensure that his players aren't crippled by fatigue in the coming weeks after a fixture pile up has left the squad facing a mad run of games before the end of the month.
According tothe Sun, Mourinho intends to relax his training schedule for the next weeks, including scrapping double sessions that he had already planned out a month in advance.
It is suggested that instead of as many physical fitness sessions, there will be more of a focus on tactics and playing short training games for as long as time is a stretched resource.
It's all in a bid to keep players as fresh as possible as United continue to fight for trophies in three cup competitions, as well as targeting a top four finish in the Premier League in order to return to the Champions League next season.
Starting with Saturday's home league clash with Watford, United must play a total of five games in the space of just 15 days across four competitions.
After the Hornets visit to Old Trafford, Saint-Etienne, with Florentin Pogba in tow, will travel to England for the first leg of the Europa League Last 32. The return leg in France is just a week later, with the FA Cup fifth round tie against Blackburn sandwiched in between.
Back in England, United will then make the trip south to Wembley to meet Southampton in the EFL Cup final. That date was originally earmarked for the Manchester derby against City, which has been postponed and will be played at a later date to be determined.
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