Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre admits he's struggled with the boredom of his recovery from knee surgery.

"I have been doing five, six hours a day of rehab since I got injured," Silvestre told the New York Times. "It is a bit boring and very tiring because I only stay in the gym and don't get to go on the field.

"I'm not even running outside yet, only in the pool. I'm not even touching the ball. So it is very boring.

"It is a long process and a long time without enjoying myself on the field."

Having done some sight-seeing around Manhattan and the "usual stuff for tourists", the United defender is fully focused on getting back into competitive action as soon as possible to help United as they battle for honours at home and in Europe.

"I know if I come back to my best then I will be able to play again because there are so many games. You always get an opportunity to play," said Silvestre, who expects to be close to a return by March and to be in contention for France's Euro 2008 squad.

"I know I will have to play in the reserves first, at least one or two games. Play 45 minutes, then an hour-and-a-half.

"You can't go straight back to the first team. That's what happens usually, it will be the same for me."