Sir Alex Ferguson says watching this week's Champions League semi-finals "has been absolute agony". While the lack of a midweek fixture has allowed Manchester United more time to prepare for Sunday's Premier League trip to Sunderland, there is no doubt their manager would have preferred a busier build-up.

"It has been absolute agony watching the matches," he said. "But that is what happens when you are not in it. You have to watch it on TV.

"Undoubtedly not being in the Champions League helps our preparation for the weekend but I know what I would rather have. The ordeals of playing on a Wednesday and then a Saturday are exactly what you want here. We have got to have it."

United will kick off at the Stadium of Light with a good idea about their chances of winning a record fourth successive league title. Barely 30 minutes before Ferguson's side get under way in Sunderland, the final whistle will blow at Anfield where Chelsea face Liverpool.

Darren Fletcher is acutely aware of the favour United now require off their fierce rivals. "We are relying on a favour from another team, which is not the best position to be in, but we are coming into form," said the United midfielder. "We had that week where things didn't go well, against Blackburn and Bayern, and there was a real low in the squad. But we had to pick ourselves up. There was a conscious effort around the place not to feel sorry for ourselves. We couldn't afford. We needed to put some pressure on Chelsea, which is what we have done."