International round up: Rashford and Lingard star as England reach semi finals of Nations League

Six of Manchester United’s finest were due to play for their country on Sunday afternoon. We look back at a successful day for some of them in the latest international football roundup.

First to kick off the super Sunday of international football was England, who featured a trio of Manchester United players, Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard and Luke Shaw.

Lingard had started the previous encounter with the USA in a friendly game on Thursday and scored a beautifully crafted goal in the 3-0 win. Rashford entered proceedings late on therefore was expected to start against Croatia in the final group game of the UEFA Nations League.

Rashford did start, but Lingard and left-back Shaw, despite not featuring against the States, were on the bench.

United’s youngest Lion, Rashford started in a front three with Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling, a combination that caused so much chaos against Spain in Seville last month.

The Wembley crowd were witnessing another dynamic display from the hosts who had seven attempts at the Croatian goal inside a 14 minute period in the first half. However, they couldn’t break the deadlock.

The danger for Gareth Southgate’s men was the possibility of ruing their missed chances with the Croats teasing them on the break. The teasing turned to punishment as Andrej Kramaric opened the scoring in the 57th minute.

Needing of an energy boost Southgate brought on Jesse Lingard and Jadon Sancho in place of Fabian Delph and the weary Marcus Rashford, who headed straight down the tunnel to receive treatment.

Lingard impacted the game straight away turning home Harry Kane’s trickling toe poke on the line after Joe Gomez had launched a throw into the box in desperation. And with 12 more minutes to go, England needed a winner if they were to qualify for the finals next summer.

Seven minutes later they got it. Once again, Harry Kane toe-poked the ball towards goal after a Ben Chilwell free kick, but this time his finish had more than enough on it to cross the line after hitting the post.

Overall, it was a positive international break for both Lingard and Rashford. Lingard proved he can score goals of the highest elegance and scrappiness, whilst Rashford reminded us all once again what a talent he is, terrorising the Croatian defence.

Luke Shaw, on the other hand, will be slightly disappointed he was not involved at all, however, Leicester CIty’s Ben Chilwell is a man in form. And to be honest, I think Shaw is just happy to be back involved in the international set-up for now.

Other international reds in action

David De Gea also did not play his part on Sunday for his country, Spain. The United shot-stopper conceded three goals once again in Spain’s final group game in the Nations League against Croatia on Thursday night and was rested on the weekend.

Ivory Coast centre-half Eric Bailly was the third Manchester United player to have a day off on Sunday. Bailly’s nation has all but confirmed their place in the African Cup of Nations with one qualifying game to play in March, however, the defender is believed to have picked up a knock in training.

Fixtures still to come

All three of the United players taking to the field on Tuesday will be hoping to gain promotion in the UEFA Nations League. Scott McTominay (Scotland), Victor Lindelof (Sweden) and Nemanja Matic (Serbia) can all mathematically still gain promotion. They kick off at 19:45 PM (GMT).

And then rounding off what has been a very prosperous and memorable year for another set of Manchester United international superstars is Sergio Romero (Argentina vs Mexico), Antonio Valencia (Panama vs Ecuador) and Alexis Sanchez as Chile host Honduras.