Stuart Dallas says United will be "ready to go" when it comes to Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off at Derby, having enjoyed a week without the additional strains of a midweek fixture.

Dallas has been ever-present in Uwe Rosler’s side since completing his summer switch from Brentford, maintaining his place in the starting line-up throughout a gruelling start to the new campaign.

Long-distance trips to Reading and Bristol City, a cup tie at Doncaster Rovers which needed penalties, combined with two demanding home fixtures against Burnley and Sheffield Wednesday have seen the United squad pushed to the limit during the opening weeks.

“We’ve had four tough games,” said Dallas. “Including the cup game, I think it was four games in nine days and two very tough away games with a lot of travelling involved.

“We knew that Saturday against Sheffield Wednesday was going to be really tough. We set about it differently. I thought we were very unfortunate not to get the winning goal.

“We’ve had a good week of training now, we’ll prepare even more for Derby and look forward to Saturday.

“It’s still only the start of the season and people are going to be asking why you need a break, but when the matches are coming thick and fast, it’s tough on you as an individual. It’s tough mentally as well.

“In this league you’ve got to be ready, you’ve got to be on top of your game 100 per cent every single time. If you aren’t, more often than not you get punished.

“It’s good to have had a bit of a break this week with no midweek fixture. It’s an early kick-off on Saturday again and we’ll be ready to go.”

On United’s start to the season, Dallas added: “We’ve proved that we’re hard to beat. We defend well from the front.

“We’ve just got to touch up on a few things. We’re working hard on that.

“But it’s not easy and it’s not just going to happen overnight. We’re looking to get that first win as much as anybody.

“Hopefully we can send the fans home happy on Saturday and give ourselves a real confidence boost going into the international break.”

Dallas also says he feels fully integrated with his new team-mates after making the move from Griffin Park earlier this month.

“It’s been good,” he said of his time at Elland Road so far. “We’ve got a good bunch of lads here; I think I said that in my first interview.

“We’ve got a good, young, hungry squad here with a mixture of experienced players as well.

“They’ve helped me settle really well and the supporters have been great with me. Hopefully I can keep getting better and better as the games go on.”