What if… Manchester United had to play in the international break?
Manchester United are currently not in action, along with the rest of the Premier League due to the international week – or international ‘break’.
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While the international break this early in the season especially may not be to everyone’s taste; at least top-tier clubs like United don’t have to play during it. In some leagues around the world, they do have to play during these international dates leaving teams weakened and looking very different. It also means many have to rely on youth-players and squad players to see them over the line.
So, imagine the Premier League continued regardless and Manchester United were forced to name a team without any players currently on international duty? How would they compare to other teams in the league? Chelsea would struggle as they have most of their youngsters on loan but promoted teams tend to have less internationals making them able to name stronger lineups.
It would certainly mean the academy would have to contribute their best to reinforce the first team – luckily for United they have a strong academy giving them the edge over some other teams in the league. Manchester United have 20 players out on international duty as it stands, including all three main strikers.
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What would that team look like? Here is perhaps one possible team.
GK: Victor Valdes or Sam Johnstone
Valdes was not called up to the Spanish squad, but has been named in Manchester United’s Premier League squad this season. Despite having a fractious relationship with Louis van Gaal, the demands of the Premier League would put a temporary truce as it would make more sense to play the far more experienced Valdes than Sam Johnstone.
But of course, Valdes is yet to be properly assigned a squad number and is still unlikely to be playing at all this season. Johnstone wants to play and did so during pre-season. He has been at the centre of controvery surrounding Louis van Gaal and his supposed ‘holding back’ of English talent. Therefore Johnstone could be put in the side by van Gaal to ease his critics.
LB: Sadiq El-Fitouri
Currently tipped to be a future star, Libyan born El-Fitouri was once on the books at rivals Manchester City but was released. He had a short spell at Salford City before being picked up by Manchester United who saw his potential. Extremely fast and very tenacious, a decent filler for Luke Shaw.
CB: Cameron Borthwick-Jackson
Another Manchester United academy man drafted in, Borthwick-Jackson can play anywhere across the defence and has also been used as a holding midfielder before. Strong on and off the ball, Borthwick-Jackson made his under-21 debut aged just 16 years old so clearly has some potential.
CB: Phil Jones
Jones did not make the England squad and has been struggling with injury. But he would be the most senior defender in a young back-four. Not playing for England would be a blessing in disguise because not only would Manchester United have more defensive options, Jones would also have a chance to impress his many doubters. If Smalling can do it, Jones can too.
RB: Guillermo Varela
The Uruguayan spent last season on loan at Real Madrid Castilla, but deserves a run in the Manchester United team at some point because he is a talented guy. His pace would compliment El-Fitouri’s on the other side of the field and both would have to juggle forward runs with defensive duties. Varela is adept at both.
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ML: Oliver Rathbone
Yet another academy hopeful, Rathbone got the academy goal of the season against Derby last season, when he hit a stunning 40-yard volley in injury time. He has struggled with injury however. Such goalscoring exploits are unlikely to occur in the Premier League but he is the best of few options for United in this area if they had to field a team.
MC: Nick Powell
Powell has not had quite the breakthrough he was expected to – and there was quite a commotion when the Englishman was named in the Champions league squad despite being forgotten at United. He had a strong spell at Wigan a few seasons ago but has not been able to build from there. If he was called into action due to international absences, Powell would have perhaps his last opportunity to prove himself. He would be the more defensive minded of the two midfielders, having started out as a defender.
MC: Ander Herrera
Arguably the most illustrious name on the list, Herrera did not make the Spain squad but this is to United’s benefit. Herrera would be in a deeper position this time round, but will be no less effective. The Spaniard has always been a fan-favourite but that has not secured him a regular first team place. The additions of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin have made the Manchester United midfield even more packed.
AMC: Jesse Lindgard
Was rumoured to be out of Old Trafford in the summer but has stayed put. Lingard has 11 England under-21 caps but doesn’t seem to have much of a shot at the senior squad. Therefore in this makeshift team, Lingard would be the man behind the striker in a role still yet to be fully nailed on in the normal United team.
MR: Ashley Young
Perhaps unlucky not be given an England call-up last season, Young hasn’t quite had the same impact as the previous campaign in either defence or midfield. Therefore Young is now available for selection and ready to prove a point in a bid to get some more first-team football.
ST: Andreas Pereira
Not usually a striker, but it is well known that Manchester United have few strikers. Since all the strikers are on international duty, Pereira is more than capable of stepping up to the task. He scored a penalty for Brazil during their under-20 World Cup campaign earlier this year with just four minutes to go and also assisted the first goal as he came off the bench. Far from an easy task playing as a striker in the Premier League but Pereira would give it a real go.
So, just a little bit of fun. It seems unlikely the Premier League will ever play through international ‘breaks’ given the reliance of teams on full-internationals. But, if it were ever to happen it sure would be an interesting spectacle. Plus if it is the only way certain players will be able to get into the team then they sure would not be arguing.
For Manchester United, it actually adheres to the long tradition of mixing youth-players in with the senior guys. United also have some decent players who did not get called up which does give them a massive advantage over many teams in the league who have little to rely on when their big names are gone.