Ferguson backs call for winter break

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has backed calls for a winter break to be introduced into Premiership football.

Following a festive fixture list which has seen most clubs play three games in six days, some in the game have advocated a European-style break to give players - and pitches - a rest at a time when winter bites hard.

Ferguson believes the mid-season break which is now taken in Scotland has been a success and has again thrown his weight behind the comments of others, including Southampton manager Glenn Hoddle, calling for a similar policy in England.

"I've been saying for a few years that the Premiership should have a winter break in line with the other Leagues in Italy, Spain and France," Ferguson told FA-Premier.com.

"It's madness that we keep playing on, cramming more games than ever into the holiday period and putting more of a burden on our players.

"The Premiership is faster, more competitive and more physically demanding than any League in Europe and we need to be protecting our players - not subjecting them to this kind of a battering."

Ferguson is convinced the winter break gives teams from Italy and Spain a huge advantage in European competition with the Champions League resuming in mid-February.

"I know it's tradition that games are played on Boxing Day and New Years Day, but in Italy and Spain at this time of year they shut down - then come back nice and refreshed later in January ready to step up their efforts in the European games," he explained.

"At United we've seen the benefits of a mid-season break after our trip to Brazil last year to play in the Fifa World Club Championship.

"We had some excellent training sessions out there, playing with the sun on our backs and relaxing - it was wonderful recuperation for the players after a hard first five months of the season."