Chris Morgan believes the Blades may have a slight edge on their Championship rivals after returning to pre-season training after just a five-week break.

He says United's fitness levels are probably ahead of other clubs' owing to the Blades' late finish to last season:

"It is always nice to come back but you know it is going to be tough. I think we are better off for only having a five-week break, and fitness wise we are slightly further ahead than normal - the lads look like they have never been away."

The skipper, though, does insist that a complete break away from the game in the close season in required to ensure that everybody hits the ground running upon their return after the summer:

"If things are left longer you have got more work to do when you do come back, and most clubs work towards optimum rest and recuperation.

"Saying that, as long as you can get away, have a holiday and switch off for a while then - although it is a short spell - there is still plenty of time to relax and rest.

"The most important thing is to recover mentally rather than physically. The players are fit enough to keep going and going but when you have had a long hard season and played at such high intensity, with so much at stake, then it is crucial to get away from football totally.

"That means that when everybody comes back it is all systems go."