Manchester United will have 11 players in action at the 2018 World Cup, which gets underway on Thursday when tournament hosts Russia face Saudi Arabia.
Four of those will represent England, while United also have one Argentine, one Frenchman, one Spaniard, one Swede, two Belgians and one Serbian at this summer’s competition.
Brazil midfielder Fred is indeed on the verge of joining the 20-time English champions, although his move has not yet been completed.
All 11 will be hoping to play a key role for their respective nations, and below we have taken a look at how each could fare; detailing expected playing time, and how they will hope to contribute to a successful tournament.
11. Phil Jones, England
While Chris Smalling was harshly left out of the England squad, fellow United centre-back Jones was included. The 26-year-old had some fine games for the Red Devils last season, but injury and inconsistency made it another frustrating year for a player with undoubted talent.
In theory, Gareth Southgate’s desire to play three centre-backs should benefit Jones, but John Stones, Harry Maguire and Kyle Walker appear to be the three individuals who will start in central defence against Tunisia on June 18.
Jones will feel that he should have won more than 25 England caps at this stage of his career, but he might find it difficult to make an impact this summer.
10. Ashley Young, England
There is absolutely no question that Young deserved to make Southgate’s England squad when considering his impressive 2017-18 season for United. The 32-year-old did not represent England between 2013 and 2017, but is now back in the fold entering the 2018 World Cup.
Young has transitioned from a winger to an impressive left-back at United, and his ability to play in the specialised wing-back position could make him a key asset for the Three Lions this summer.
That said, Danny Rose is currently ahead of him in the pecking order, and it is the Tottenham Hotspur defender’s position to lose entering England’s opener against Tunisia. As a result, Young could well find his minutes limited in Russia.
9. Nemanja Matic, Serbia
Matic had a fine first season at United, with the 29-year-old effortlessly slotting into - and indeed improving - Jose Mourinho’s midfield. Serbia’s vice-captain will be present at the 2018 World Cup, and will be looking to help his team reach at least the first knockout round of the competition.
Brazil should top Group E fairly comfortably, which would seemingly leave Serbia and Switzerland battling for second spot. The Eagles have a whole host of talent in their squad, but there is no getting away from the fact that they have not been past the group stage of a World Cup since France 1998.
It is, of course, all relative: Matic could be outstanding for a Serbia side that fails to make it out of the groups, while Marcus Rashford could play few minutes for an England side that reaches the semi-finals. For the purposes of this article, however, Matic is down in ninth on the list.
8. Marouane Fellaini, Belgium
It would be fair to say that Fellaini has angered a number of United fans with his conduct in recent months. Indeed, it is still unclear whether the midfielder – out of contract at the end of June – will be at Old Trafford next season.
A lot of United supporters have had enough of the 30-year-old, but he remains an important figure for his country – scoring 17 times in 82 appearances. It is likely that Axel Witsel will start ahead of Fellaini this summer, however, and his football at the 2018 World Cup could mainly arrive off the bench.
7. Victor Lindelof, Sweden
Sweden beat Italy in the playoffs to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, and they will seemingly battle Mexico for second position behind Germany in Group F this summer. Not too much is expected of Sweden, but at the moment, they are a team that simply does not concede a lot of goals.
Indeed, Janne Andersson’s side have shipped just four goals in their last eight matches, and put on a defensive masterclass against Italy back in November. Lindelof had a tough first season at United, but the centre-back is a key member of the Swedish national team, and will be one of the first names on their teamsheet in Russia.
The 23-year-old will be looking to kick on at United next season, and a solid tournament for Sweden would certainly be a big step in the right direction.
6. Marcos Rojo, Argentina
Rojo was a part of the Argentina side that reached the final of the 2014 World Cup, but the United centre-back is not certain of a position in Jorge Sampaoli’s first XI due to the presence of Federico Fazio.
Manchester City’s Nicolas Otamendi will start in central defence, which will leave Rojo and Fazio to battle for the other spot. That said, Rojo is also capable of playing at left-back, and there is every chance that the 28-year-old will play a lot of football for Argentina at this summer’s competition.
It was not exactly the smoothest of qualification campaigns for the South American nation, but they will fancy their chances of breezing into the knockout round of the competition, and Rojo will be dreaming of the trophy.
5. Jesse Lingard, England
Widely tipped to be named in Southgate’s first XI, Lingard will have the chance to make his mark for England this summer. The 25-year-old only has one Three Lions goal to his name, but will enter the tournament off the back of scoring 13 times and registering seven assists for United last season.
Operating in a central position behind the likes of Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling, Lingard should have the time and space to make his mark – particularly in the group matches against Panama and Tunisia.
With Jordan Henderson expected to sit at the base of the midfield, the onus will be on Lingard to provide the link to Kane. The playmaker’s ability to find room in the tightest of areas makes him such an important figure for England.
4. Marcus Rashford, England
Rashford scored a spectacular goal in England’s 2-0 win over Costa Rica last week, and there is no question that Southgate would have been impressed with what he saw from the United forward at Elland Road.
The 20-year-old is not expected to start against Tunisia, but he will surely be one of the first options off the bench, and there is every chance that the attacker could work his way into the XI as the tournament develops.
It proved to be a frustrating 2017-18 campaign for Rashford at club level, but he looks very much at home in an England shirt. If given enough of a chance, the youngster could make a huge impression for the Three Lions in Russia.
3. Paul Pogba, France
All eyes will be on Pogba this summer as the United midfielder looks to make a serious impression at a major international tournament. Now 25 years of age, he should be mature enough to deal with the expectation.
France fell just short at Euro 2016, but Didier Deschamps’ side are fancied to advance deep into the 2018 World Cup. Pogba should start France’s Group C opener against Australia on June 16 despite inconsistent showings against Italy and United States over the last couple of weeks.
Much has been said and indeed written about Pogba over the last 18 months or so, but he has the chance to silence his critics this summer. Operating in a team packed full of talent, there can be no more excuses for the former Juventus star.
2. Romelu Lukaku, Belgium
Belgium have never won the World Cup, but there is no question that there is pressure on Roberto Martinez’s side to succeed this summer. That should be the case as well when considering the talent that the European nation have available.
The Red Devils made the quarter-finals back in 2014, but will be looking to improve on that finish in Russia. Drawn alongside England in Group G, it would be a huge shock if Martinez’s side did not make the knockout round. Lukaku’s first season at United ended in disappointment with defeat to Chelsea in the FA Cup final, but the striker hit 27 goals for his club last term.
Lukaku is, of course, also Belgium’s all-time record goalscorer with 34 strikes – including 23 in his last 26 matches at international level. The 25-year-old will lead the line for his nation this summer, and there is no question that he has the pedigree to make it a very successful competition.
1. David de Gea, Spain
De Gea will be Spain’s undisputed number one goalkeeper at the 2018 World Cup. It seems incredible that the 26-year-old has only won 29 caps for La Roja, but he was forced to play second fiddle to Iker Casillas for a long time.
This will be De Gea’s first World Cup as Spain’s number one, and he will enter the competition off the back of yet another fine season at United. Julen Lopetegui’s side are seen as one of the favourites to triumph in Russia, but they have a tough tournament opener against Portugal on Friday night.
Now widely recognised as the best goalkeeper in world football, De Gea - fitness permitting - will be an ever-present for Spain in their search for the crown. The 2010 world champions have a wealth of talent going forward, but De Gea will need to have a strong tournament in order for his country to triumph.
