Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has called on his already crowned Premier League champions to relax and enjoy themselves but keep impressing for the remainder of the season.
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson celebrates after a win against Stoke City at The Britannia stadium, on April 14, 2013. Ferguson has called on his already crowned Premier League champions to relax and enjoy themselves but keep impressing for the remainder of the season.
United welcome top-four chasing Chelsea to Old Trafford on Sunday and Ferguson wants his side to impress even if they do have their 20th English league title secured.
A draw at Arsenal last week ended United's hopes of overhauling Chelsea's record Premier League points tally of 95, but Ferguson remains focused.
"It is time for us to play with a good enthusiasm, relax and enjoy ourselves," he said. "That is what I want to see and hopefully we can have a good end to the season."
Having been enjoying title celebrations and the Professional Footballers' Association Awards ceremony recently, United's players have certainly been kept busy off the field.
They also have their trophy parade coming on May 13 following the presentation after the Swansea game at Old Trafford the day before, but Ferguson does not want it all to get out of hand while the season is still ongoing.
"It is inevitable that these things happen," Ferguson said. "I never took into account of all the things that were happening, the PFA awards and our own player of the year awards, and then the parade.
"Then (club captain Nemanja) Vidic came to me and asked could they go to Chester Races next Wednesday and I said without thinking 'yes of course' and then we put all these things together and I was saying 'bloody hell, I hope they don't forget there are games of football to be won'.
"It is difficult, they have had a fantastic season and they deserve to celebrate as a team. They have had a hard season but they still have to win games."
Ferguson will be without striker Danny Welbeck for the visit of Chelsea but Paul Scholes could make an appearance on the substitutes' bench as the veteran midfielder has recovered from the knee injury that has kept him out since January.
Rafael Benitez's success in guiding Chelsea towards a successful climax to a frustrating season -- an achievement that has been marked with the April manager of the month award -- has been overshadowed by the growing speculation Jose Mourinho is poised to return to Stamford Bridge.
Benitez's departure from his post as interim manager has never been in doubt, but it is in keeping with his turbulent reign that recognition of his achievements in west London comes when focus is fixed elsewhere.
Should Mourinho leave Real Madrid and succeed Benitez, there is a growing possibility he will take over a team on the rise.
The midweek victory over Basel secured Chelsea's place in the Europa League final when they will start as firm favourites to beat Benfica in Amsterdam.
And a return of 10 points from a possible 12 means they are on course to finish third and claim a place in the Champions League group stage.
Defeat at Old Trafford, however, could change the balance of that three-way battle with London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham for the two remaining places in the top four, particularly as Spurs visit Stamford Bridge three days later.
Chelsea striker Fernando Torres said: "I've been scoring goals, helping the team to win matches and now we're really looking forward to the final.
"We need to focus on that game now but also on the Premier League because we need to finish in the top four to make sure we are playing in the Champions League next season."