United head for full strength Christmas

Manchester United will be able to call on Dwight Yorke and Jaap Stam this Christmas.

Both players have overcome slight injuries which included a groin strain for Yorke and are set for instant recall after the side lost 3-2 at home in the Premiership against Middlesbrough last weekend.

While the rest of Europe stops for a Christmas and winter break - Germany returns to action next February - the English play on with two full Premiership programmes over the Christmas holidays and the Third Round of the FA Cup across the first weekend of the New Year. United play in the biggest match of the holiday season on December 29th when they face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The Manchester club have an excellent record on the ground of one of their main title rivals this season which includes regular wins.