by Mark Bassey

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal, has called for the introduction of a winter break in a Premier League season, if English teams must do better on the continent.

Barcelona’s 1-0 win over Manchester City on Wednesday, means there are no English clubs left in the UEFA Champions League.

Van Gaal says the downward trend will continue, except a two-week break is introduced, as it happens with other European leagues.

Van Gaal said: “You have to go back to Christmas. The world is changing, it’s not the same world as 20 years ago.”

“Twenty years ago the English Premier League was up here, had a lot of money, a lot of players came to the Premier League because you are paying well and the Premier League ise a high standard.

“But the other countries are developing themselves also – but they also have a winter break while we have to play four or five matches in two weeks and they have a break of two weeks.

“Then you have to play those after how many matches you have already played. How many matches have Bayern Munich played in the meantime, for example? That’s the difference.

“They are much fresher than players of Arsenal or Chelsea. That, in my opinion, is the difference because players need rest.”

ifreke

Ifreke Inyang is a public commentator and social media critic who has worked with a number of high profile publications across the country.