Erik ten Hag’s side will head to Spain for a week-long winter training camp (Picture: Getty)
Erik ten Hag has explained Manchester United’s decision to schedule a friendly against La Liga side Cadiz CF during the World Cup break.
United confirmed on Monday that they will play two friendlies when the domestic season is paused and will hold a week-long winter training camp in Spain.
The first friendly will be played against Cadiz – who are currently second bottom in the Spanish top-flight – at the Nuevo Mirandilla stadium on December 7 but it has not been announced who the second match will be against.
United’s last game before the World Cup break comes on November 13 when they travel to face high-flying Fulham in the Premier League and resumes on December 27 as they host bottom-club Nottingham Forest.
‘It’s a strange season,’ Ten Hag told United’s website. ‘It’s not like usual as we have a World Cup but also players will stay behind.
‘We have to train them during those six weeks and we have to give them the right programme so they stay in the right fitness levels, but also they stay in the right shape and also in the team style.
‘We made a programme to do that, as optimum as possible. So, we will train here [at Carrington] for one week, or eight or nine days, and then we will have a short break. Then we will train and go to Spain for a training camp for one week.
‘There, we can train proper. We have good opponents over there so we can get the game practice in as well.
‘Then we will return, ready for the second stage of the season, I would say, but a long stage, longer than usual.’
United’s football director John Murtough added: ‘Erik and the team have made good progress during this first half of the season, and it is important we maintain this momentum coming out of the World Cup break.
‘A winter training camp will be a vital part of the team’s preparations for the second half of the season.
‘We have lined up a high-quality local opponent to play against, ensuring match fitness and sharpness is retained.
‘The camp and game will also allow for some of our young talent to experience training and playing in a first team environment, as well as provide entertaining club football for fans.’
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‘We have good opponents over there…’