For over fifty years now, Manchester United Football Club has never failed to provide exceptional British talents.
Naturally, the older generation of United fans will most readily remember the lion that was Bobby Charlton in 1966. Those more in tune with the modern era still idolise the Argentine-slaying hero David Beckham, and can look forward to seeing the likes of Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford taking on the planet’s finest this summer.
Over the past twenty years, the presence of Manchester United players within foreign teams has also grown drastically, and the litany of Red Devil representation at the World Cup now has few earthly equals. Once again, there are several standout United players in foreign nations that could make an impact this summer, but how will they perform and how will they fare?
Group C – Anthony Martial (France)
Realistically, only Denmark stand between France and the top spot, but since winning the 1998 World Cup, the nation has alternated bad World Cups with good ones. Despite boasting some exceptional talents, the French are due a ‘bad’ World Cup this time around. This has not, however, prevented Les Bleus from being considered the outright third-favourites behind Germany and Brazil on Oddschecker.
To use a popular phrase, 2017/18 has seen Martial ‘blow hot and cold’. He looked unplayable at the start of this season, and appeared to be the partner Romelu Lukaku needed to fire United into a new golden era. The title race all but over, Martial’s form has faded somewhat since the end of October, but he remains a potent threat for his country, alongside attacking peers Antoine Griezmann and (fitness permitting) fellow Premier League star Alexendre Lacazette.
Verdict: He should have no problem in the opening match (against Australia). Gulf in class noted, however, the Socceroos will still be a relatively unknown quantity under the recently-appointed Bert van Marwijk. Assuming France win the opening two group games, the showdown with Denmark should be nothing more than a playoff for top spot.
Paul Pogba is also a dead-cert to make the Didier Deschamps’ final 23, but whether he will remain a United player for much longer is still a hot topic for debate.
Group E – Nemanja Matic (Serbia)
With 28 appearances for Manchester United this season, he has done his work quietly and effectively. These days, United are just as fallible as any other team, but the difference the Serbian now makes in midfield is plain for all to see. United still have the potential to make a four-place improvement compared to last season, and the defensive howlers that characterised Jose Mourinho’s first season at Old Trafford are now a much rarer occurrence.
Though he could end 2017/18 trophyless, Matic’s all-round game has grown, and his versatility in the centre of the park will be a huge asset to Serbia in a challenging group. Though the lowest ranked side in a Group E containing Brazil, Serbia do not bear any burden of expectation, and in previous tournaments this has proven to be helpful to other unfancied nations.
Verdict: One such ‘unfancied’, low-ranked side was Costa Rica, a nation that finished top of a lethal group in 2014. The Central Americans represent Serbia’s first obstacle to the knockout phase. Serbia will need to stay true to the compact philosophy of new head coach Mladen Krstajić to get anything out of this clash, but there will be opportunities for Matic to demonstrate his shooting power as an element of surprise. At least four points, from games against Costa Rica and Switzerland will be needed. It is a tall order for Serbia, but a great learning curve for Matic as he approaches the big 3-0.
Group G – Romelu Lukaku (Belgium)
The more discontented vox-poppers on United’s fan channels have turned Lukaku into something of a scapegoat. He copped a particularly harsh degree of venom in the aftermath of December’s home derby defeat, but he has natural talent that even £75m simply cannot buy. Though United are still not assured of a top four finish, Lukaku is still the third-deadliest striker in the entire league, if statistical elements other than goals-per-game are brought into consideration.
If Belgium are not one of the five main frontrunners for glory, then Die Roten Teufels are certainly the best of the outsiders. At the World Cup, Lukaku can only thrive alongside fellow Premier League luminaries such as Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard. With an additional Premier League influence across the backline, Lukaku has extra license to roam in what many neutrals would consider the easiest World Cup group of the eight.
Verdict: Tunisia and Panama are universally considered the ‘cannon fodder’ teams of Group G. Assuming no monumental shocks beforehand, Belgium’s clash with England should be a playoff for top spot. The spectacle of Lukaku taking on United teammates Phil Jones and Chris Smalling is certain to be an intriguing one. There is no question that he will make an impact – none of the players from the other two nations in Group G currently played in the Premier League. For them, Lukaku will be like nothing they have faced before.
Comments.
Loading comments…