Here’s how United’s players fared with their national teams in their World Cup Qualifiers this week-
David de Gea- 6.5
Started in goal as the Spaniards swept Albania aside 3-0 to top the Group G. The keeper, who is United’s only sole representative in the Ballon D’or shortlist, kept a clean sheet having made a couple of decent stops. He did, however, had the post to his rescue as Armando Sadiku headed against the woodwork for the visitors.
Jose Mourinho will be pleased with Vicente del Bosque’s decision to rest the shot stopper for the 1-0 away victory over Israel, ahead of a crunch game against Liverpool on Saturday.
Sergio Romero- 6.5
Kept a clean sheet in the goalless draw against Peru, and only had one difficult save to make throughout the match. The draw left Argentina’s World Cup hopes hanging by a thread, but the 3-1 victory over Ecuador today, courtesy of a Lionel Messi hat-trick, propelled them to the 2018 World Cup to be held in Russia with a 3-1 victory. Romero couldn’t keep a clean sheet in the second match, but there was not much he could’ve done to save Romario Ibarra’s left-footed goal in the first minute itself after a beautifully placed header from Roberto Ordonez. The keeper eventually improved after a nightmare start, making three decent saves.
Antonio Valencia- 5.5
Had a below par international break. He picked up a yellow card in the 2-1 loss to Chile and was suspended for the final game against Argentina, which ended in a 3-1 win for Messi and co. Ecuador were supposed to win both qualifiers with huge margins to have any chance of going through, but they instead lost both games, finishing eighth with 20 points.
Romelu Lukaku- 6.5
Missed the game against Bosnia due to an injury but returned to action with a bang, scoring a goal after just 12 minutes after coming on in the 66th minute in the 4-0 victory over Cyprus. Eden Hazard scored a brace while his brother Thorgan scored the other goal as the Red Devils topped Group H with 28 points out of a maximum 30. His return from injury would definitely be a boost for Mourinho ahead of Saturday’s trip to Liverpool in the league.
Marouane Fellaini- 6
Lasted for only 29 minutes of the international break, as he came off injured against Bosnia with a knee injury. Belgium later confirmed that he would not only miss the next game against Cyprus, but would also remain on the side-lines for at least two weeks, meaning that he’s set to miss the important away game against Liverpool. His absence would no doubt be a blow to Mourinho’s side, particularly because the Belgian midfielder has been in fine form this season, having scored four goals in all competitions already.
Daley Blind- 6.5
Blind played the fill match as Netherlands defeated Belarus 3-1, courtesy of goals from Davy Propper, Arjen Robben and former Reds winger Memphis Depay. However, a lopsided victory for Sweden meant that they needed to win by a seven goal margin to qualify for the World Cup, but failed to do so, only managing a 2-0 victory over the Swedes. The defender played all 90 minutes of the second match as well, but didn’t have much to do as they dominated their opponents but couldn’t score as many goals as they could’ve.
Victor Lindelof- 6
Played both full games, the first being a resounding 8-0 thrashing of Luxembourg. The second match, however, didn’t end well for the centre-back and his team, as he conceded a penalty, which was later converted by Robben, in a 2-0 loss to the Dutch.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan- 6.5
Had a night to forget as his Armenian side was hammered 6-1 by Poland, as Lewandowski scored a hat-trick. They did improve in the second game, which ended in a 1-1 draw to Kazakhstan. The skipper, who played in a left attacking role in both the matches, couldn’t do much in the first game, but scored in the second as his side ended a poor qualifying stage with just two wins from ten matches.
Nemanja Matic- 7
Scored a goal in the 3-2 loss to Austria, smashing the ball into the net from the edge of the six yard box, as Mourinho watched on from the stands.
Serbia then clinched a World Cup spot for only the second time as an independent nation with a 1-0 victory over Georgia as the midfielder played the whole match. Their win meant that they, along with Republic of Ireland, qualified for the World Cup at the expense of Gareth Bales’ Wales.
Marcus Rashford- 7
Was undoubtedly England’s best player in the 1-0 victory over Slovenia, almost scoring a goal with an audacious lob at the hour mark. He started the game against Lithuania as well, but came off after 72 minutes. Both games were settled by sole goals from Harry Kane.
Jesse Lingard- 6
Played the final 20 minutes against Slovenia, slotting in the No. 10 position, and it was after his introduction that Kane scored the game’s only goal. The young winger also came on for the final 9 minutes against Lithuania, but didn’t have any time to impress as Southgate’s side held on for another win.
Eric Bailly- 6
Booked in the first half as the Elephants were frustrated by Mali with a goalless draw. They’ll go down to the wire as their last qualifier against Morocco on November 11 will decide their nation’s fate.
Matteo Darmian- 6.5
Played the full game on the left hand side as Italy were held to a 1-1 draw by Macedonia at home, and was on the field for an hour as the group runners up squeezed past Albania 1-0. They now await the draw for November’s World Cup play-offs.
Chris Smalling- NA
Was an unused substitute against both Slovenia and Lithuania.