After the titanic clashes against Manchester City and Arsenal in the last week or so, the United players have a well earned breather before we take on Portsmouth at the weekend.

Us supporters are probably glad of the time to get our own breath back too. It’s been quite a week.

Whilst the manager and the players will be churning out the “one game at a time” cliche, it is impossible to resist a little look forward beyond this Saturday’s game against Portsmouth.

The next game is away against Villa (who, of course, beat us at Old Trafford a few weeks ago).

The game after is AC Milan in the Champions League.

The game after is away to a resurgent Everton team who, with their players coming back from injury, are starting to look a lot more like the team that has threatened to break into the top four for the last few season.

The next game is the Carling Cup Final, again against Aston Villa.

All massive games, all tough fixtures and all in February.