Manchester United players are set to return to club duty after the October international break with pressure mounting on Erik ten Hag.
The start to the 2024/25 Premier League season for Manchester United has not been ideal for Erik ten Hag with pressure building on the Dutchman.
United drew 0-0 against Aston Villa at Villa Park, seemingly providing Ten Hag with a stay of execution with the Dutchman returning to Carrington ahead of the Red Devils’ clash against Brentford at Old Trafford.
A selection of United players have been away on international duty and here is how they have fared.
Andre Onana
During the October international break, goalkeeper Andre Onana was called up by Cameroon with the international side picking up two victories.
Cameroon picked up a 4-1 win over Kenya at home before Onana kept a clean sheet away from home as Cameroon picked up another 1-0 win.
Onana made just two saves in that 1-0 victory with one save from inside the box and he returns to United in good form.
Altay Bayindir
Turkey won both matches against Montenegro (1-0) and Iceland (4-2) but Altay Bayindir failed to feature in either match for his national team.
Ugurcan Cakir has been Turkey’s first-choice goalkeeper with Bayindir only playing one game for United this season, the 9-0 win over Barnsley in the Carabao Cup.
Victor Lindelof
Sweden drew 2-2 with Slovakia before a comfortable 3-0 win over Estonia. However, Victor Lindelof featured in just one of these games: the chaotic 2-2 draw against Slovakia.
Lindelof played just half an hour against Slovakia with the United defender winning just 33 percent of his aerial duels during that cameo.
With Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro out injured for United, Lindelof could be set for more game time once United return to action.
Matthijs De Ligt
It was a rather unsuccessful international break for the Netherlands as they drew 1-1 against Hungary before losing 1-0 to the Netherlands.
Matthijs De Ligt was called up to the national team, but he featured during the 1-1 draw against Hungary but played just 9 minutes as the defender does not seem to be currently in favour of the national team.
The Italian media has ranked De Ligt as one of the worst signings of the summer and the Dutchman will be hoping to improve quite quickly.
Lisandro Martinez
The start of the 2024/25 season has not been the best for Argentine defender Lisandro Martinez at United.
Martinez did not feature for Argentina against Venezuela and was a substitute during La Albiceleste’s 6-0 victory over Bolivia.
The Argentine defender has been poor for United this season and will need to rectify these issues quickly.
Diogo Dalot
Diogo Dalot had a more successful international break compared to his defensive teammates with the right-back performing well for his county during a victory over Poland.
The former FC Porto right-back did not feature during the goalless draw against Scotland at Hampden Park but against Porto he excelled.
With a 92 per cent passing accuracy, four clearances and two interceptions Dalot looked to be back to his best on international duty.
James Scanlon
United academy ace James Scanlon started both games for Gibraltar as they picked up a 1-0 win against San Marino and drew 0-0 against Liechtenstein.
Scalon netted four goals for United’s under-18s against Blackburn Rovers and the teenager looks to be the player perhaps closest to breaking through.
Scanlon was steady in both games for his national team and will be hoping to continue his improvement in United’s academy side.
Christian Eriksen
One of the positives out of the 2024/25 season has been the renaissance of Christian Eriksen at United with the Danish midfielder establishing himself in the Red Devils’ first team.
His good form for United has continued for Denmark with Eriksen playing well against Spain, despite a 1-0 defeat to La Roja, and scoring and assisting during a 2-2 draw against Switzerland.
Manuel Ugarte
Manuel Ugarte’s start for United has not been the best and the hope was that the international break could get the best out of him.
Ugarte was taken off against Ecuador during the goalless draw due to an injury problem but it appears to be just a cramp.
The Uruguayan media hailed a ‘solid’ Ugarte and he will be hoping to start against Brentford this weekend.
Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes, similar to his national teammate Dalot, also had a promising international break with Portugal.
Fernandes provided an assist against Poland and looked promising against Scotland and the United captain will be hoping to take his international form to the club side.
Rasmus Hojlund
Rasmus Hojlund netted prior to the international break during United’s frantic 3-3 draw against FC Porto and was called up for international duty with Denmark.
Hojlund, however, struggled against Spain and Switzerland as he never really got any clear cut chances to score.
The question for Ten Hag will be who starts up front against Brentford Hojlund or Joshua Zirkzee.
Joshua Zirkzee
The final player who has been away on international duty is Dutch forward Zirkzee, who has struggled hugely at Old Trafford.
With just one Premier League goal to his name this season, Zirkzee has come under scrutiny since his summer move from Italian side Bologna.
Zirkzee started the match against Hungary before being taken off on 75 minutes and then was himself a substitute during the defeat to Germany.
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