Alex Ferguson questions need for Sweden friendly

Manchester United coach Alex Ferguson has called into question the need for England to play a friendly game in Sweden next week.

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has already expressed concern about England coach Roy Hodgson's decision to call up Gunners midfielder Jack Wilshere, who only recently returned from a 17-month injury lay-off.

Ferguson, who has four players in the England squad, says he can sympathise with the Frenchman.

"Friendly games at this time of year don't mean a thing to me," he said.

"It won't be a full squad anyway because players will drop out. I can understand where Arsene is coming from with that (Wilshere complaint).

"When you are out for a long period and play your first game, the adrenaline helps you.

"But there is a physical reaction a few days later. You never know after someone has been out for so long."

Wilshere himself has admitted that his international recall may have arrived "too soon". The 20-year-old Arsenal playmaker has only recently returned to action following more than a year out of the game.

The match has been arranged as part of the celebrations to inaugurate the new Swedish national football stadium - the Friends Arena - in Stockholm.