Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says he is "totally against" international friendlies following injuries to key central defenders Chris Smalling and Phil Jones on England duty.
Mourinho expects to be without five first-team players against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, including the injured Paul Pogba and suspended Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
"I am totally against the friendly matches," Mourinho told Sky Sports, after Jones had to withdraw from the England squad with a toe injury suffered in a training ground clash with Smalling, who pulled out after sustaining a leg injury in the Germany friendly.
Both defenders missed England's 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over lithuania, leading Mourinho to question the need for friendlies during the season.
"I think friendly matches for the national team only make sense before the final phases," he said.
"A couple of weeks before the Euros or a couple of weeks before the World Cup makes sense. But mid-season friendly matches mixed with qualification matches, I don't think that makes sense.
"On top of that the matches are not really big matches so I am not a big fan. But I think one day I will be there so I cannot be very critical."
Mourinho, who had 13 players away on international duty, believes his side will be at a disadvantage when they resume Premier league action at Old Trafford this weekend.
"If you compare our situation with our opponents, West Brom, only one player on international duty," Mourinho told this week's Soccer Saturday programme, underestimating the number of Baggies players who joined up with their national teams in the past fortnight.
"They had time to work, time to rest and prepare. It's going to be hard."
BASTIAN EAGER TO START MlS CAREER
Chicago: German star Bastian Schweinsteiger said he is ready to make an immediate start to his Major league Soccer career with Chicago Fire at a formal presentation before journalists here Wednesday.
The 32-year-old former Bayern Munich and Manchester United midfielder told reporters he was available to make his debut in Chicago's clash with Montreal Impact this Saturday if selected.
"I am 32 years old. I am ready, but of course I need more training sessions to have the right rhythm, to be where I want to see myself," Schweinsteiger said.
"My head is more than 100 percent. I feel quite comfortable. The session was pretty intense today and I could do it, so that was good.
"I was preparing before I came here and, of course, I need some days more training but I feel I am ready whenever the coach needs me."
Schweinsteiger, a key member of Germany's 2014 World Cup-winning team, confirmed his move to MlS last week after struggling to find a role at Manchester United.
Schweinsteiger said his swift departure from the Premier league giants after just under two years with the club meant he was unable to say a proper goodbye to his Old Trafford teammates.
"It was not so easy because the decision was a bit late so I couldn't say a proper goodbye to the team," Schweinsteiger said.
"Also they had an away match, so I couldn't really tell them because I didn't want the focus on me, but on the team. I had a great time there, especially with the teammates and the staff."
Schweinsteiger is reported to have signed a one-year deal with Chicago as a designated player, meaning he can be paid outside of MlS salary restrictions. He is set to earn $4.5 million for his season in the Windy City.
Chicago coach Veljko Paunovic was coy about whether Schweinsteiger would play this weekend.
"Obviously, he is going to be available. We are not going to reveal our plans here," he said.
"But we still have a talk to have and discuss how he feels and more things about the team and how we want to play. So be ready."
Wednesday's news conference, meanwhile, saw one awkward exchange where a reporter asked Schweinsteiger whether he felt that the "World Cup was a realistic expectation" for Chicago Fire.
Chicago general manager Nelson Rodriguez promptly stepped into clarify the question, stating: "We as a club don't play for the World Cup, we play for the MlS Cup."
BAYERN KEEPER NEUER TO MISS 2 GAMES
MUNICH: Bayern Munich will have to do without goalkeeper Manuel Neuer for two games because of a foot injury.
The 31-year-old Germany goalkeeper injured his left foot in training on Wednesday. Club doctor Markus Walther performed a small operation and the club said Thursday that it "went optimally."
Neuer, who already missed Germany's recent games against England and Azerbaijan because of calf problems, will miss Bayern's league games against Augsburg on Saturday and Hoffenheim on Tuesday.
Neuer received support from Real Madrid midfielder and former Bayern teammate Toni Kroos, "Get well. But take your time," Kroos wrote on Twitter.