The festive fixture list serves up a gruelling schedule for
footballers plummeting temperatures and three-game weeks can take
their toll. Therefore, it's the role of Uniteds thorough coaching
team to ensure the players remain in pristine condition.
Readings visit to Old Trafford on Saturday is part of a run of six
matches in 18 days, offering one of the biggest challenges of the
campaign for Valter di Salvo, Uniteds fitness coach.
Its difficult when we play three games a week, he told United
Review. Also, the temperature plays its part its colder, so the
players are more susceptible to muscular injuries. We give great
attention to ensuring the players warm up correctly in training and
for games.
Before going out on the training pitch, the players start off in
the gym on exercise bikes to boost the temperature in their
muscles. Naturally, however, the intensity of training drops
dramatically during this busy period due to the number of
games.
At the moment we are focusing on recovery after games, adds
Valter, who worked with Real Madrid and Lazio before joining
Uniteds backroom team.
We do specific fitness work with the players not involved in the
games. But for those who are playing more regularly its less about
improving fitness and more about good recovery, stretching and work
in the pool. The games are the training!
