Manchester United have revealed that they will be testing many youngsters like Fabio and Rafael da Silva in the festive period. Phelan says it will be a big challenge for their foreign youngsters.

He told manutd.com: "But playing through Christmas is perhaps a new experience to people like Javier Hernandez, Bebe and Rafael and Fabio to some extent. Whereas before they might have shut down over Christmas, now they are playing through.

"From the point of view of the lifestyle, they have to learn to adapt, to rest, recuperate and eat all the right things to get them through this period and maintain that level of quality. But we’ve got the experience to deal with that here. So I am sure we’ll cope like we always do."