Anthony Elanga has insisted that warm-weather training in Spain is crucial ahead of the second half of the season. Manchester United travel to Andalusia this weekend, with fixtures against Cadiz and Real Betis pencilled in next week.
An unprecedented winter World Cup means the bulk of Erin ten Hag’s squad are on international duty but a continental trip allows others to regain fitness. United return to competitive action on December 21 - just three days after the showpiece final in Qatar.
Players who reach the latter stages of the World Cup will unlikely be involved when former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany takes his high-flying Burnley side to Old Trafford in the EFL Cup. For Elanga, who came off the bench as Sweden blew the chance to qualify against Poland, a return to action cannot come soon enough.
The 20-year-old is relishing a mini pre-season and the opportunity to shake off the cobwebs. Elanga told the club’s media channel: “It will be really important. Obviously, the ones who are going to the World Cup are getting their fitness in by playing and training.
“It's only right we do the same. We can’t afford to rest, because we’ve got some games coming up at Christmas and we’ve got to be ready for them. We’ve got to keep this going.”
An intense fixture list because of the World Cup poses a challenge for managers battling to keep their squad fit. With just five Premier League starts this season, Elanga knows the importance of taking an opportunity when it comes.
“It’s going to be crazy, the number of games that are going to be played this season,” the Swede added. “On top of that, we’ve got Euros qualifiers (for Sweden) next year, Euros qualifiers in June, so the season is going to be stacked with games.
“You can’t be thinking too much. When you get the opportunity, take it, and see where that takes you.”