Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson expects the title race to pick up after the international break.

"Most clubs, not just United, are finding it difficult to keep the continuity going when you lose your players for two weeks at a time," said Sir Alex.

"It is important for the national teams, so you have to support it. But the advantage is that there is a clear run after November to the Championships in the summer.

"There is a stupid friendly week in March. But I assume it will be limited teams because you are talking about a really important time of the season for league clubs. Once this next international break is out of the road in November, there is a run to the end of the season. It will help with consistency."