The FIFA World Cup in Qatar is near its conclusion with the final on Sunday awaiting the winners of the two semi-final fixtures. Manchester United have had a number of players in the competition. Who have been the most impressive Red Devils throughout this year’s World Cup?
Raphael Varane
It is most fitting to start with Raphael Varane with his French side having recently dispatched England to earn themselves a semi-final bout with Morocco. Varane has been a leader at the back for France as he is at club level. Boosted by top-quality strikers such as Olivier Giroud his nation has a genuine chance of achieving back-to-back world cup glory. In the football bets they are the favourites to win the competition at 11/10. In terms of World Cup Top Goalscorer odds, Giroud is one of the top players fancied to claim the golden boot at 6/1. He will certainly be crucial to France’s chances in addition to his pursuit of the top scorer award.
https://twitter.com/ManUtd/status/1601692272269332481?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
France’s round of 16 fixture against Poland was straightforward forward. They faced little issue qualifying from their group, but in their first meeting with a heavyweight nation Varane shut out his club teammates including Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford.
The Three Lions
England suffered heartbreak as they bowed out against the French in a 2-1 defeat after Harry Kane failed to dispatch a late penalty which would have taken the game to extra time. But the Manchester United trio can still hold their heads high after a promising tournament.
Shaw made the left-back spot his own and faced little competition for it, which is perhaps a result of the criticism he received from Erik Ten Hag earlier in the season which led to a demand for improved performances from the former Southampton man.
Harry Maguire performed admirably for his nation as he often does, perhaps the environment in the England camp is a much more favourable one for the United defender as he clearly plays with more confidence when wearing an England shirt.
He helped England to record three clean sheets in five games as he started all of their fixtures in Qatar with him being well-trusted by Gareth Southgate. Fans of the Red Devils will hope he carries his international form over to his club form. United are set to battle for a UEFA Champions League finish in the second half of the season and quality in depth will be crucial.
Rashford is perhaps the pick of the bunch simply due to his excellent performance in the group stage against Wales. He scored a second-half brace against England’s neighbours which dumped them out of the competition and left England full of confidence going into the knockout rounds. Most importantly Rashford looked to display a level of composure on the pitch that has not been seen for a long time and perhaps he can return to his best for United now England’s World Cup is over.
https://twitter.com/sportbible/status/1602269567455297538?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Many other United players have starred at the World Cup but the English and French nations have been the pick of the bunch and hopefully, they can now build on their international form in the remainder of the club season.
