Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admits it's a constant battle convincing his star players they're in need of a rest.

"The Premier League has improved this season by making it seven substitutes," he said. "But it is still hard. To have to put an international in the stand is almost an insult.

"It is a problem for me because it is embarrassing to ask a top player not to be involved in a game. They expect to play and they want to play."