Chairman Ken Bates has welcomed this week-end's break from Championship action.

With England involved in Euro 2012 qualifying games against Bulgaria on September 3 at Wembley and the visit to Switzerland on Tuesday, September 7, the Premier League and Championship times have a blank week-end.

The chairman told Yorkshire Radio: "I think the break has come at a good time from our point of view. It gives our injured players, Parker, Snodgrass and Paynter, an extra week to recover instead of them fighting the clock all the time.

"In addition, all our players will have a break and it also allows time for food for thought. The manager and team can reflect on what has happened so far, where, maybe, we didn't do quite what we thought we would and what more can we do - and so on.

"So I think the break is not a bad idea," he added.

United go into their break from action with seven Championship points in the bag and standing in one of the play-off places. It's a situation which has qualified players for bonuses.

"We don't want to get carried away and don't forget that we are in sixth place because of alphabetical advantage," said the chairman. "We are exactly the same as Norwich City but 'L' comes before 'N' in the table - as I pointed out to the players when they were looking for bonuses.

"But they have got their bonuses and good luck to them," he added.