Ole Gunnar Solskjaer explains Man Utd week off that baffled players and staff

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has explained why he gave Manchester United players and staff an unexpected week off over the international break.

The under-fire United boss returned home to Norway in the first half of the break earlier this week as players not involved in international games were also given the option of a brief break.

Solskjaer, his wife, Silje, and two sons, Elijah and Noah, travelled to Norway from Manchester airport earlier this month before returning.

The move was unexpected considering the Red Devils' alarming run of results in the Premier League, which has seen them pick up just four points in their last six matches.

Solskjaer's side will return to league action this weekend as they travel to strugglers Watford, with the boss explaining that it was important for everyone to "refresh" over the short respite from matches ahead of a gruelling winter schedule.

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The visit to Vicarage Road will be the first of nine United matches over the course of 28 days, ahead of another busy round of fixtures over the Christmas period.

Nonetheless, Solskjaer's decision to take a break following a dismal derby defeat to bitter rivals Manchester City, continuing United's dreadful form, raised eyebrows.

He explained to reporters on Friday: "International breaks are always periods to refresh and to keep working on different things and this time around we've had a few players having to pull out.

"So quite a few of them have been here doing individual sessions, recovery sessions, some players were allowed to go abroad to visit families.

"It is always the case when everyone comes in everyone is bright and ready.

"This week has been a good week, we've had a chance to work with everyone on quite a few things."

The boss went on to explain that the second half of the international break had seen him and his players return to Carrington, where they worked hard on "correcting" issues that had been apparent in recent games.

He added: "You're right, sometimes the first thing you want to do is get back on the training ground and work on things.

"When we left for this international break it was a good time for us to refresh their minds, some players have stayed here, some have been allowed to go home to freshen up their minds, everyone has kept in touch with the staff and one of the things we've learnt over the last few years, my staff have been working really hard to get everyone ready.

"We've corrected a few things, put some things right. I'm sure we'll see a reaction and a good performance tomorrow."

Raphael Varane (hamstring) and Paul Pogba (thigh) are out of Saturday's trip to Watford while Luke Shaw has not appeared in training footage this week after he suffered a concussion in the defeat to Manchester City 13 days ago.

Striker Edinson Cavani is also a doubt having missed the Manchester derby and subsequent international break with Uruguay due to a tendon injury.