MAN UTD WINNERS AND LOSERS FROM INTERNATIONAL BREAK WITH TWO FULL DEBUTS AND ONE INJURY

Few players have had an international break quite as memorable as Kobbie Mainoo.

Thrown into senior England duty for the first time as a last-minute call-up from the under-21s, the teenage Manchester United midfielder has not only staked a claim for the Three Lions' Euro 2024 squad, he's also put in a solid shout to start their opening game.

Mainoo was due to be representing the under-21s for the first time until his performance in United's 4-3 FA Cup victory over Liverpool in their last match convinced Gareth Southgate to promote him for the friendlies with Brazil and Belgium.

It's been a remarkable few months for the 18-year-old in his breakthrough season, which only looks to be the start of some special times ahead. But how did his United colleagues get on during the international break? Here's a run down of the winners and losers...

Winners

Bruno Fernandes (Portugal): Scored in Portugal's emphatic win over Sweden and was then excused from their next game against Slovenia by boss Roberto Martinez. Has hardly missed a game for United this season, so will have welcomed the chance to recharge his batteries ahead of the season run-in.

Christian Eriksen (Denmark): Played the full 90 minutes in Denmark's goalless draw with Switzerland, then the second-half of a 2-0 win over Faroe Islands. Will have welcomed the run-outs, given minutes have been hard to come by in recent months at United.

Rasmus Hojlund (Denmark): Like Eriksen, United striker Hojlund needed minutes, following a near month-long injury lay-off, having returned for the epic 4-3 FA Cup win over Liverpool. Played 84 minutes in the 0-0 draw with Switzerland, then 14 as a sub against Faroe Islands.

Alejandro Garnacho (Argentina): Came on for the second-half of a 3-0 win over El Salvador, was then handed his first full international debut in a 3-1 victory over Costa Rica and was replaced with 20 minutes left. Played well, despite not scoring or assisting.

Victor Lindelof (Sweden): Played the full 90 minutes in Sweden's 5-2 loss to Portugal and Monday's 1-0 win over Albania. Given he was forced off in extra-time in United's 4-3 FA Cup triumph over Liverpool, it was positive to come through two games unscathed.

Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco): Played 75 minutes of Morocco's 1-0 win over Angola, a useful outing for United's on-loan midfielder, who has struggled for game-time recently.

Facundo Pellistri (Uruguay): United winger, currently on loan at La Liga side Granada, played 45 minutes of Uruguay's 2-1 defeat away to Ivory Coast. Given he has only featured six times for Granada, he will have welcomed the run-out.

Kobbie Mainoo (England): Handed his England debut as a 75th-minute sub in the 1-0 defeat to Brazil, Mainoo was then given his first full start in the 2-2 draw with Belgium, playing with the same assurance and maturity that has made him a regular for United.

Losers

Scott McTominay (Scotland): Played the full 90 minutes in Scotland's shock 1-0 friendly defeat to Northern Ireland at Hampden Park. Avoided injury, unlike Scotland team-mate Andy Robertson, but underwhelmed as Steve Clarke's side went seven games without a win.

Diogo Dalot (Portugal): Was not involved in Portugal's 5-2 rout of Sweden, but played the full 90 minutes of Tuesday's 2-0 defeat away to Slovenia. Has played consistently for United this season, so could have done with a breather during the international break.

Harry Maguire (England): Took the England captain's armband from Kyle Walker after he was forced off through injury in a 1-0 defeat by Brazil. Was then injured himself after 67 minutes and returned to United for treatment, missing the 2-2 draw with Belgium.

Marcus Rashford (England): Came on for the last 15 minutes of England's 1-0 defeat to Brazil last Saturday, replacing Anthony Gordon, and was an unused sub for the 2-2 draw with Belgium. Could have returned to United after the Brazil game, given his non-involvement last night.

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2024-03-28T07:39:21Z dg43tfdfdgfd