Erik ten Hag admits he will be unable to development his Manchester United blueprint during the international break with so many players away.
The Red Devils have seen their game this weekend postponed due to the lack of police available so will now be out of action until domestic football reconvenes. The pause comes at a time when United were beginning to pick up momentum having won their last four games in the Premier League.
Their last success saw them end Arsenal's unbeaten start to the season with Ten Hag's ideas beginning to filter across. New arrivals like Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez and Antony have all had an influence, but any strides forward are likely to be halted due to the lack of numbers at Carrington.
Ten Hag will wave goodbye to the majority of his squad as they jet around the globe to represent their countries. It leaves the Dutchman working with a mixed squad and he accepts that they will struggle to be productive.
He said: “I don’t have the players. What can we plan? We can plan work structures with the players who will be there. They will get a break but also have good sessions.
"We can work on specifics but, when 90 per cent of the squad is not there, we cannot work on development. That is clear.”
United's next assignment will be a Manchester derby at the Etihad in what will be a major gauge of where they are at.
The champions have won four of their six league games thus far and are unbeaten with recent crowned Player of the Month Erling Haaland in red hot form.
United themselves have seen England duo Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho both find form after struggling last term. The latter scored in the recent Europa League win whilst Rashford got a brace in the win over Arsenal. Despite that both men have been overlooked for Three Lions selection.
It means they will remain in Manchester but, with the World Cup in Qatar just months away, both players will be desperate to stake their claim.
Rashford himself has said his absence is enforced, stating on social media: "Good luck to the Man Utd boys later today. In regards to England, every player wants to represent their country and I’m no different! Unfortunately, I’m not ready yet as I’ve picked up an untimely injury."
Sancho meanwhile told MUTV: "Yeah, 100% [make England squad], that is one of the targets. It's unfortunate that I didn't get the call-up, but I have to just keep focussing on myself and keep on working hard, week in and week out, that's what I'll do."
