Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot are set for another World Cup test as Portugal face Croatia in the round of 32.
Manchester United confirmed that attention now turns to Portugal after Senne Lammens progressed with Belgium, with Fernandes and Dalot still involved for Roberto Martinez’s side.
United’s official site said Portugal will face Croatia in Toronto, with Fernandes and Dalot looking to join Lammens in the last 16.
The Guardian’s World Cup schedule lists Portugal v Croatia for Thursday, 2 July, with kick-off at 7pm ET. That is midnight in the UK.
The tie gives Michael Carrick another United workload issue before pre-season.
Fernandes And Dalot Face Croatia Test
Portugal reached the knockout tie after a mixed group stage, with one win and two draws.
Croatia should give them a different kind of game. Reuters reported that Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic has framed the match around the midfield battle rather than Cristiano Ronaldo against Luka Modric.
That puts Fernandes close to the centre of the game.
United’s captain has already carried another heavy club season, and every extra tournament minute shortens his recovery window before Carrington work begins.
Dalot’s minutes matter too. He remains part of Carrick’s full-back planning, and Croatia’s game management should test Portugal’s concentration on both sides of the pitch.
Read Man Utd has already covered how Portugal’s Croatia route gives United a Bruno Fernandes workload issue. This tie now brings that concern into sharper focus.
talkSPORT also notes that the winner of Portugal v Croatia will move into the last 16, where a meeting with Spain or Austria could follow.
That is the United concern. One more win could turn a manageable summer workload into a deeper tournament run.
Carrick will want Fernandes and Dalot sharp. He will also want them back with enough left in the tank.
