The first international break of the 2021/22 season gets underway this weekend as the World Cup qualifiers return to action on Wednesday, and you can use this Sportnation sign up offer to get started on betting on international football.
Let’s take a look at all Manchester United players called up by their respective national teams for the upcoming international window.
Europe
England
Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw, who were twin-pillars of England’s rock-solid backline at Euro 2020, have made the cut.
The pair have enjoyed a decent start to the Premier League season with United, featuring in all 270 minutes of top-flight football so far.
Despite being handed just one start across his inaugural three Premier League outings, Jadon Sancho has made Gareth Southgate’s final selection, although the latest reports of an injury could well mean that he returns home to recover.
The 21-year-old winger endured a thoroughly disappointing Euro 2020 campaign, spending most of England’s run to the silver medal on the substitutes bench.
Jesse Lingard has also found himself on Southgate’s list, even though he has managed just four minutes of Premier League football so far in 2020/21.
The gaffer’s decision to overlook Mason Greenwood could come as a surprise, given the youngster’s blistering start to the season.
The 19-year-old has hit the net in each of United’s three Premier League fixtures thus far, earning a fair share of plaudits across the country.
France
Summer signing Raphael Varane, who made his Premier League debut for United against Wolverhampton last weekend, will headline France’s backline in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Bosnia & Herzegovina, Ukraine and Finland.
Resurgent Paul Pogba will be looking to build upon his remarkable showings at Euro 2020 and the early stage of the 2021/22 Premier League season.
Joining the star duo in Didier Deschamps’ star-studded squad will be Anthony Martial.
The ex-Monaco forward missed out on Les Bleus’ underwhelming Euro 2020 campaign due to injury and will be keen to impress upon his return to the national team.
Portugal
After returning to his usual best at Old Trafford, Bruno Fernandes will be aiming to silence his national team critics against the Republic of Ireland and Azerbaijan in the World Cup qualifiers.
The Red Devils dynamo had a nightmarish Euro 2020 campaign as Portugal failed to make it out of the group stage.
However, a return to United has helped Bruno rediscover his mojo, as witnessed by his mesmerising hat-trick against Leeds United on the opening weekend.
It is still uncertain whether United’s marquee summer signing Cristiano Ronaldo will be available for the Selecao during the upcoming international window.
The 36-year-old tied Ali Daei’s record of 109 international goals and could make history over the next fortnight should he regain full fitness.
Sweden
Victor Lindelof was Sweden’s defensive mainstay in what was an eye-catching Euro 2020 campaign for the Nordic country.
The improving defender should be equally significant to his national team’s set-up in September as the Swedes face a stern test in the shape of Spain and Greece in World Cup Qualifying Group B.
Spain
David de Gea has been included in Spain’s squad to face the likes of Sweden, Georgia and Kosovo in a set of must-win qualifiers this month.
The experienced keeper played understudy to Athletic Bilbao’s Unai Simon at Euro 2020.
However, de Gea has excelled at the start of the new Premier League season in the absence of Dean Henderson.
Africa and South America
Ivory Coast
Despite being Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s fourth option at the back, Eric Bailly remains an always-present figure for Ivory Coast.
The 27-year-old centre-back has recently pledged his long-term future to United, though he seems unlikely to break into the starting XI following Varane’s arrival.
As for Fred and Edinson Cavani, who are likely to be called up by Brazil and Uruguay, respectively, have been urged by Solskjaer to put the club’s interest before the country during the international break.
Both South American countries are on the Covid-19 red list, which means there’s a genuine possibility of a 10-day quarantine period once the international window is done.
Therefore, the United gaffer opposes the idea of letting his South American stars leave for international duty.
It remains uncertain whether the duo will obey Solskjaer’s call.
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