Manchester United are getting a break from the fixtures but there is no such thing as a break for the players, majority of whom are out playing for the national teams.
The Manchester United contingent has broadly impressed on the break, with the likes of Noussair Mazraoui shining for Morocco, or Joshua Zirkzee impressing for the Netherlands.
Kobbie Mainoo has also garnered rave reviews for his performance vs Ireland, but the picture is not so rosy for everyone.
In a game that his team won 5-2, and his fellow United teammate Joshua Zirkzee created history, Matthijs de Ligt was publicly lectured by Ronald Koeman.
Matthijs de Ligt criticised by Ronald Koeman
Ronald Koeman has never been one to mince his words in the media and Matthijs De Ligt felt his wrath after their recent game.
The Dutch side put on a comprehensive attacking display, dispatching Bosnia and Herzegovina with a scoreline of 5-2.
Zirkzee helped himself to a goal and assist, but Koeman lamented the way his side conceded the two goals, with De Ligt coming under the scanner for one.
In the 73rd minute of the game, the Dutch were leading 3-1 before De Ligt allowed a searching cross to run through him and find Edin Dzeko behind.
Dzeko made it 3-2 to make it a nervy affair but the Netherlands scored two late goals to seal the win.
After the game, Koeman said that De Ligt realised he was in the “wrong place”, adding that it was also a collective failure which is “not allowed”.
He said (Via Voetbal Primeur): “I think Matthijs himself realizes that he is in the wrong place here. What I understand from Matthijs and Bart (Verbruggen, ed.) Matthijs thinks that the ball is for the keeper. But this is not allowed.
“Mistakes are part of football. I think it’s unfair to make a big hype out of it.”
Scrutiny on De Ligt
Recently, De Ligt threw shade at Bayern Munich while talking up the biggest advantage of Man United transfer by saying there are more eyeballs at Old Trafford.
This “mistake” wouldn’t have received anywhere near enough attention if a Bayern player made it but the scrutiny at United is a different level altogether.
Despite the team losing two of their first three league games, De Ligt has been fairly dependable and one of the few encouraging parts of the team.
As he gets used to playing in a new league alongside new teammates, his performance levels should improve, so will his match fitness.
In that sense, he is one of the few players who will really benefit from the international break and the minutes that come with it.
The test will get much stronger as his team will play Germany next on September 10 with all eyes on how Zirkzee and De Ligt perform against top-quality opposition, just four days before league action resumed with a trip to Southampton.
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