This international break has sort of been for Manchester United what the October internationals were for Liverpool– a period that created a series of injury doubts in regards to a host of first team regulars. Between now and when United host Crystal Palace on Saturday, the team will have to sweat on the fitness of about five or six starters.
Obviously, some will of them will be okay and ready to take to the pitch against the Eagles, but others will not be, and thus manager Jose Mourinho could have a selection headache on his hands when the weekend approaches.
Let’s run down all six, and we’ll go in order by country, starting with the current world champions, France.
Paul Pogba withdrew from the French national team ahead of international duty due to an injury that appears to be pretty minor. Since the announcement of his missing this break, he’s taken to his Instagram twice to convey that he’s doing fine. Maybe you saw his photo of his walking around with a big grin on his face?
If not, did you see him in Dubai mocking his own penalty walk-up as he races a tortoise?
The fact that he went to Dubai on holiday, instead of to the trainer’s table in Carrington says a lot about how good his prospects are of playing this weekend.
Anthony Martial was also released from France duty at the beginning of the break period. Not much is known right now about his injury problem, but United definitely need him as he has been on a hot streak since October began.
Shifting across the border to Belgium, Romelu Lukaku was dismissed by Belgium this international period after failing to recover from a nagging hamstring issue. He seems in good spirits right now though, or at least he was when filming his rap verse video with B/R Football.
His teammate, Marouane Fellaini, was also left out of Belgium’s 2-0 win over Iceland, which was attended by Mourinho, who was scouting Toby Alderweireld.
Switching over to Sweden, centre back Victor Lindelof was subbed off at half-time of Sweden’s UEFA Nations League clash against Turkey due to illness.
Shifting gears to a UEFA Nations League semifinalist, England, forward Marcus Rashford suffered a knock in the dramatic come from behind win over Croatia yesterday. Finally, the one player who we know is out is defender Luke Shaw. The English international and left back is suspended after picking up his fifth booking of the campaign during the blowout Manchester Derby defeat.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Lineups.com and Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.