The international break is always very frustrating for the clubs as they can lose players for themselves in the long run without any control of their own.
Therefore, it is always a boost when these players are protected and they come back to Manchester United with their match load managed.
That is a huge boost in itself in a calendar packed full of matches so any rest here or there is worth its wait in gold, as United saw recently with Bruno Fernandes’ early return from Portugal.
Fernandes has now been followed by Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee for the Netherlands as neither was involved in the game vs Hungary.
However, it was not roses for Ruben Amorim, as protection of the Dutch duo was also joined by injury to another…
Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee boost
The Netherlands won 4-0 vs Hungary but not many Man Utd fans would have been watching as there was no involvement from any United player.
Joshua Zirkzee was two of the players cut from the 25-man squad for the game so he wasn’t even required to travel and suit up.
Matthijs de Ligt, on the other hand, was on the bench but never came off it as Virgil van Dijk and Van Hecke saw off the opposition.
With the Netherlands playing again on November 19 away at Bosnia and Herzegovina, there is a chance that the pair gets just the right amount of football to get ready for the clash on November 24 against Ipswich.
It is a big boost to Amorim, especially with De Ligt, as he figures to be a crucial part of his plans from the get-go and he’s been one to watch for potential injury worries.
However, it’s one centre-back secured, but another one out for Amorim as the scenes were not pretty in another game during the international break.
Victor Lindelof suffers setback
Victor Lindelof was doing well recently to come back from his injury in the summer. He had become a dependable rotation option again as the team found some form and seemed determined to force his way back into Amorim’s plans.
Therefore, the scenes in Sweden during their 2-1 victory over Slovakia were not a pretty sight for United supporters.
Lindelof was playing as the right-sided centre-back in a nice audition for Amorim at Old Trafford when the disaster struck in the 26th minute.
He went down holding his hamstring and was seen visibly frustrated and punching the ground in what looked like a serious setback.
The Swede had to be helped off the pitch and was subbed off immediately afterward, which was a big blow to Amorim.
Lindelof is the second centre-back to have suffered an issue on this break, as Lisandro Martinez also withdrew from international duty due to injury.
As it stands, Jonny Evans and Matthijs de Ligt at United’s only full fit options at centre-back, hardly the ideal situation for a manager set to play three at the back!
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