Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves says everyone at the club accepts rotation is a reality if they're to be successful.

"There are so many options here and so many people pushing for positions, especially in midfield, that I don't think anyone is going to play in every game. You have to look at the big picture," Hargreaves told the Daily Mail.

"I'd like to see someone try to play the same team for an entire season - because they'd be hanging by a thread at the end. At least half would be injured. It's not healthy to play as many games as we do with a short summer break. It's why football has developed into being more athletic, with bigger squads and more players.

"All the big clubs rotate. In the end you've still got 11 good players on the pitch, otherwise we would not be where we are. And rotation is often used as an excuse. The players work with each other in training every day and whoever steps out on to the pitch should be comfortable with one another."