Manchester United had players around the world in international action during this month’s international break, which is now coming to an end.
Here’s a rundown of how all United first-teamers have called up for international duty…
Brendan Williams makes England Under-21 debut / Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
After being called up to the England Under-21 squad for the first time, Brendan Williams made his debut for the junior team in a 3–3 draw against Andorra. The 20-year-old started at left-back and played the full 90 minutes of the European Championship qualifier.
He was then an unused substitute in the following game against Turkey, which England won.
Daniel James started both Nations League games for Wales / Richard Heathcote / Getty Images
Daniel James has been a regular fixture in Ryan Giggs’ Wales squad since March 2019, but the United winger was only left on the bench in the Wembley friendly against England.
It was likely a deliberate choice by Giggs to rest him as James then started both Nations League fixtures against Ireland, a 0–0 draw, and Bulgaria, a 1–0 win.
Scott McTominay has been at centre-back for Scotland / Ian McNicol / Getty Images
Scott McTominay continues to play as a centre-back for Scotland, just as he did during the September international break. Given that United have problems in this area but are well-stocked in midfield, this could open up a new avenue for him.
The 23-year-old played all 120 minutes of the Euro 2020 qualifier against Israel, as well as scoring in a 5-3 penalty shootout win. He then went on to play every minute in back-to-back 1–0 Nations League wins against both Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
Viktor Lindelof played in Sweden’s two defeats / Carlos Rodriguez / Getty Images
Dropped by United but still a starter for Sweden, Viktor Lindelof was initially only an unused substitute for the friendly against Russia that kicked off the international break.
Sweden won that game, so Lindelof will be disappointed that his return to the team for the Nations League followed with 2–1 and 3–0 defeats against Croatia and Portugal respectively.
Eric Bailly overwhelmed by injury fears with Ivory Coast/ANP Sport/Getty Images
Eric Bailly played in both of Ivory Coast’s friendlies this month, playing 70 minutes of a 1-1 draw against Belgium and then the full 90 minutes of a 1-0 defeat against Japan.
There were concerns that Bailly had suffered a hamstring injury when he withdrew in the first game, although the player himself later clarified that it was simply muscle fatigue.
Alex Telles did two sub-exhibits for Brazil/Daniel Apoy/Getty Images.
Still to play for United since his £15.4m deadline day switch from Porto, Alex Telles played a bit part as a substitute in both Brazil’s World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Peru. .
They were only the second and third international appearances of his career, having not been called up since March 2019 when he made his debut. Brazil beat Bolivia 5-0 and Peru 4-2.
Donnie van de Beek scores for the Netherlands against Italy
Donnie van de Beek was another new face for United for his country, playing 90 minutes in two of the Netherlands’ three internationals and scoring an important goal.
The midfielder started in the ‘number 10’ role for the Dutch in a 1-0 friendly defeat against Mexico. He then sat on the bench for the 0–0 Nations League draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina, before returning to the lineup, this time on the right of midfield, in the 1–1 draw with Italy.
David De Gea started both of Spain’s UEFA Nations League games / Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
Capa Arrizabalaga’s dip in form has seen David Deji regain his place as Spain’s starting goalkeeper for competitive internationals this season.
Capa got the nod for the 0-0 friendly draw with Portugal, but De Gea came on for the Nations League games against Switzerland and Ukraine. The former was a 1-0 win, the latter a 1-0 loss.
Bruno Fernandes did not catch the coronavirus Cristiano Ronaldo/Carlos Rodriguez/Getty Images
Portugal hit the headlines during the international break when Cristiano Ronaldo returned a positive coronavirus test after playing against reigning European champions France. Fortunately for United, Bruno Fernandes and the rest of the squad tested negative despite contact with him.
Fernandes was not involved in the 0-0 friendly against Spain. Instead, he was saved for competitive Nations League games against France, another 0–0, and Sweden, a 3–0 win.
Paul Pogba plays his first international football since 2019 / Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images
Anthony Martial made his first return to the France squad last month, having been sidelined since March 2018, and has now made five consecutive international appearances so far this season.
The United number nine was taken off at half-time as France thrashed Ukraine 7-1 in a friendly, came on as a substitute in the 0-0 Nations League draw against Portugal and lasted 63 minutes as he took on Croatia. Started in a 2-1 win against
Paul Pogba was also involved in all three games, his first international action since June 2019 as a result of injury and the coronavirus. His only start came against Portugal, appearing off the bench in each of France’s other two games.
Harry Maguire sent off for England / Robin Jones / Getty Images
Harry Maguire had an international break to forget on his return to the England squad, having previously been dropped from September’s squad following his guilty verdict in an assault trial in Greece.
It was a whirlwind England side that beat Wales 3-0, which meant Maguire was left on the bench. He then played 90 minutes as the Three Lions beat Belgium 2-1 in the Nations League and recovered, a welcome relief from his dreadful club form.
But a red card after half an hour against Denmark, the result of two avoidable yellows, saw him hobble off the pitch with the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Marcus Rashford, who was on the bench against Wales, also started for Belgium and scored England’s equalizer from the penalty spot in the return win. He then played just 70 minutes against Denmark but could do nothing to prevent a 1–0 defeat.
Goalkeeper Dan Henderson was included in a fourth consecutive England squad from October 2019, although he was on the bench for all three matches this month and is still awaiting his debut.
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