Spain and Belgium progressed to the quarter-finals of the World Cup at the cost of Portugal and the USA, and Man Utd had some lessons to learn from each game.
Spain won a nervy game against Portugal 1-0 to send Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot back to Carrington.
USA’s campaign was ended by Belgium with a 4-1 win, where former Man Utd star Romelu Lukaku scored the fourth goal.
Here’s one thing United learned from each of the two games.
Portugal vs Spain – Bruno Fernandes’ return is a boost for Michael Carrick
To say that Bruno Fernandes didn’t enjoy this World Cup would be an understatement, as he was constantly misused by Roberto Martinez.
Martinez’s extreme indulgence of Cristiano Ronaldo hampered the whole team, none more so than Fernandes, who had to do CDM and LW shifts.
He will be hurting at this missed opportunity, but Michael Carrick will be glad that Fernandes gets two more weeks of rest than he would have had he gone to the final.
Old Trafford is Fernandes’ safe haven, and he’ll be determined to flourish again in a team that doesn’t indulge a 41-year-old non-mobile forward.
USA vs Belgium – Experience can’t be coached
Ineos have made a concerted effort to make the team younger since taking charge of transfers, but Belgium’s win vs the USA proved that experience can’t be taught.
When the lights were the brightest and the scrutiny the highest, the USA’s players collapsed under the pressure, while Belgium’s veterans rose to it.
Ineos would do well to see what happened in this game and start adding some experience and know-how to a batch of young signings.
They already seem to recognise that, as evidenced by new contracts for the likes of Harry Maguire and Tom Heaton last season.
It needs to continue, even in their buying policy, because experience can’t be coached.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
