Amad’s dream, Maguire’s return, and a ‘United debut’: Five Man Utd players to watch out for in international break
Manchester United will be left to wallow in the wounds of the Liverpool defeat longer than they would have liked.
That is because the international break is now set to commence for about two weeks, with Manchester United playing their next game on September 14.
However, that doesn’t mean United fans don’t have anything to look forward to, as a number of players have storylines ongoing with the international team that could have a direct impact on their club form.
A total of 15 United players will be in action over the next week or so but here are the top five which should be of particular interest due to a variety of reasons-
1- Amad (Ivory Coast)
Ivory Coast will play against Zambia on September 6 and Chad on September 10, and Amad is expected to play in both games.
This international break is particularly special for Amad, since it marks his return to the team after three long years.
Expected to become a fixture in the setup after his initial call-up in 2021, it went haywire for the tricky winger as multiple loans and a change of managers caused upheaval.
FInally back in the team after three years and in a purple patch of his career, expect him to take the game by the scruff of its neck and show everyone what they had been missing.
2- Harry Maguire (England)
England will play against Republic of Ireland on September 7 and Finland on September 10 under Lee Carsley, who has recalled Maguire.
The defender missed the Euros due to an injury sustained while playing for Man United so this is his return to the team after a major omission.
He has always been a regular for the national side but his importance was expected to dwindle at club level with Matthijs de Ligt’s arrival.
Instead, Maguire has improved his game and played well in the Dutchman’s place for the first two games, winning back everyone’s trust. He will aim to keep that going for England.
3- Alejandro Garnacho (Argentina)
Argentina play Chile on September 6 and Colombia on September 10, two tricky fixtures. Lisandro Martinez and Garnacho will be in action.
Garnacho has already won titles with Argentina but he hasn’t been a key player for them since his debut. That could be about to change.
After winning the Copa America in the summer, the new generation of the team could be set to take over and Garnacho could well be the poster boy.
He has already shown signs of a breakthrough at the club level with his displays so far and if he continues that vein of form for the national team, we could be seeing the emergence of a new global superstar in real-time.
4- Bruno Fernandes (Portugal)
Portugal play Croatia on September 5 and Scotland of September 8, with Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot in action representing United.
Fernandes, in particular, is always one to watch for Portugal as he seems to unlock another level to his productivity while playing for his national side.
It’s always goals and assists galore for Fernandes in Portugal colors, combined with moments that take your breath away.
He needs to have games like that to wash the stench of the Liverpool defeat and United will be better off for it. Dalot, on the other hand, has become a reliable 7/10 player so hope will be to see more of the same from him.
5- Manuel Ugarte (Uruguay)
Manuel Ugarte will make his “United debut” for Uruguay, in the sense that these will be his first games for Uruguay since signing at Old Trafford.
Uruguay will play Paraguay and Venezuela on September 7 and 10 respectively and United fans will be keeping a close watch on how their new midfielder performs.
