Manchester United legend Paul Scholes says Christmas is the best time of the season.
Scholes wrote in the London Evening Standard: "The great thing about Christmas and New Year games at United was that it was often the time we got into gear in the title race. By the time you were back into the normal schedule, you had a pretty good idea of what it was going to take to win the league. Then FA Cup third round was just around the corner. These are the highlights of the season that I look forward to.
"By all means have a winter break for football in England, but if we are to do so then let's make it in January and not disrupt the great tradition of Boxing Day football. It is only my second year out of that Christmas programme now. It was this time three years ago that I was training and preparing to come back out of retirement, so I am getting used to Christmas without playing.
"Like most fans, I am looking forward to watching some games. Hopefully, I will be at United, Salford City and Oldham Athletic over the next couple of weeks, savouring the experience of watching matches at the best time of the year for football."