Normally I’m not a big fan of international breaks. In fact that’s an understatement, I usually hate international breaks. They ruin the momentum we’ve built up in the league and often result in key players returning to Old Trafford with injuries sustained (on some occasions) in completely unnecessary friendly matches. This one however, could have come at just the right time.

Everyone expected a backlash from United after the defeat by Liverpool at Old Trafford. Many were predicting cricket scores. Quite the opposite happened. We were a man and a goal down by the 18 minute mark after Scholes instinctively used his hands to prevent a goal, and it only got worse from there. We could easily have been 2 or 3 goals down by half time.

Tactics were changed at half time and we saw a much improved display from the team, filled with passion and commitment, but for all our possession and the great chances we created, we still lacked the cutting edge in front of goal. As we threw more and more players forward in search of an equalizer we were caught on the break and conceded a second goal and all 3 points.

It seems like we’re heading into a bad patch. 147 games have gone by since we last lost back to back league games. On top of that, many key players are seemingly out of form or possibly tired. We’ve played more than 50 games already this season so the latter is certainly a possibility.

The international break could be exactly what the players need at this stage of the season. A chance to escape Old Trafford for a couple of weeks and focus on something else. Then return with clear heads, ready to get back to winning ways at home to Aston Villa. I’m certainly hoping that’s the case!