United Strong After Internationals

Manchester United were the only side to take maximum points from their post-international break games last season.

The Premier League returns this weekend following a fortnight out for World Cup Qualifiers, with some clubs having to cope with minimal time to prepare on the training ground.

It's a pivotal weekend at this early stage of the campaign as Manchester United host rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford, while Liverpool are at home to champions Leicester, Tottenham go to Stoke, Arsenal host Southampton and Chelsea travel to south Wales to face Swansea on Super Sunday.

If last season is anything to go by, United should be in good shape going into the lunchtime kick-off on Saturday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD, having taken 12 points out of 12 from their four post-international games in the 2015/16 season.

They beat Liverpool 3-1 at Old Trafford after the September break, were convincing as they saw off Everton 3-0 at Goodison Park after the October break, left it late to beat Watford 2-1 following the November break and overcame Everton again 1-0 at Old Trafford in April following the March international friendlies.

Premier League champions Leicester also fared well following internationals last term, earning 10 points from a possible 12, along with Middlesbrough, who gained 10 points in their four Championship games.

Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal won three and lost one of their four games, while Tottenham, West Brom and Burnley gained eight points.

At the other end, Bournemouth and Crystal Palace struggled to cope after the international break, earning just one point on their four returns, while Southampton and Swansea took just two.

Credit: Skysports.com