Ultimate United
How the Reds got on at the World Cup. 16 Jul 2018 20:52
A look at how Manchester United’s players got on at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
By Philip Meese, Chief Editor
The 2018 FIFA World Cup is over, after an exhilarating four weeks of football which has entertained the whole planet. In total, twelve Manchester United players represented their respective countries in Russia. Here we look at how they all got on at the World Cup, and whether José Mourinho may have learned anything about them going into the new season.
Phil Jones
It’s hard to take anything from Jones’ performances in Russia, as there were only two of them. Both against Belgium, both in games that were essentially in dead rubbers when you consider that England were quite happy to finish second in their group. Considering that both of the games Jones played in were defeats, neither performance will have improved his chances of staking his claim for a permanent slot for club or country.
As is the case with Chris Smalling, it would be no surprise to see Jones plying his trade away from Old Trafford next season, particularly with Mourinho making no secret of his desire to recruit a new centre-back this summer.
World Cup Rating – 3/10
David de Gea
Prior to the World Cup, many football fans over the globe would have rated David de Gea as the best goalkeeper in the world. As always happens, many football fans only look at the here and now, and it is safe to say that after a poor tournament by his own lofty standards, many of these opinions may have changed. Of the seven shots de Gea faced in Russia, he ended up picking six of them out of the net; he certainly won’t want to see a replay of Cristiano Ronaldo’s second goal. Add this to the fact that the United goalkeeper didn’t save any of the five penalties against him and it makes for grim reading for the Old Trafford number 1.
Most United fans wouldn’t want any other goalkeeper between the sticks; one tournament does not a bad keeper make. They certainly won’t want to see a repeat of his performances in Russia, however.
World Cup Rating: 4/10
Nemanja Mati?
The midfielder played every minute of Serbia’s three group games, but probably won’t look back on the tournament with any fondness, as his country failed to make the knockout rounds. Mati? was as solid in the World Cup as was during his debut campaign at Old Trafford, but their opening win over Costa Rica remains Serbia’s high point from the competition.
If nothing else, Mourinho will be happy to see his midfield general not progress to the latter stages, especially after a tiring campaign last term.
World Cup Rating: 5/10
Marcos Rojo
A bit of a mixed bag for the Argentine defender. He experienced the high of scoring the goal against Nigeria that ensured qualification from Group D. That was about as good as it got for Argentina who, like their star player Lionel Messi, massively underperformed in Russia.
Marcos Rojo didn’t play in the 3-0 thrashing by Croatia, but he gave away the penalty that led to France’s opening goal in their 4-3 defeat. Rojo was hauled off at half time in this game, effectively ending his tournament. Whether it sees the end of his United career remains to be seen.
World Cup Rating – 5/10
Marcus Rashford
The United academy graduate had what could best be described as a solid tournament, rather than a successful or disastrous one. He only started one of England’s seven games, coming off the bench in another five, but missed a golden chance in that match to make an impression. With Rashford clean through on goal, Thibault Courtois got his fingertips to the shot.
Rashford’s most important contribution was during the penalty shootout against Colombia when, despite looking nervous, he powered his spot kick into the net with expert precision. A great moment for the youngster, but Mourinho won’t have learned anything from watching him in Russia.
World Cup Rating – 6/10
Ashley Young
Just like at Old Trafford, Young was the first choice left-back and was, for the most part, reliable rather than spectacular. He suffered with cramp in some of England’s later games, especially the semi-final where he had looked off the pace for much of the game.
Given that his back up Danny Rose was culpable for goals in both of England’s games that he started, a certain Luke Shaw should be rubbing his hands in anticipation, knowing that Young won’t return to Carrington for a few weeks. He should now have a chance to stake his claim to become both first choice for club and country, especially as the 33 year old Young may now call time on his international career.
World Cup Rating – 6/10
Victor Lindelöf
After a difficult debut season for the defender, both United’s fans and manager will have been encouraged by his performances in Russia. Playing in a defence he is familiar with, Lindelöf started four of Sweden’s five matches, helping them to clean sheets against Mexico and Switzerland before their exit to England. Even more encouraging was the fact that he looked like a commanding presence at the back for his country – something United have lacked for a while.
Rumours are that Mourinho was considering cutting his losses on Lindelöf this summer, but he might think again after his performances at the World Cup.
World Cup Rating – 7/10
Marouane Fellaini
If the big Belgian’s contract situation at Old Trafford was playing on his mind, this wasn’t reflected in Fellaini’s performances at the World Cup. Despite starting the tournament on the bench, it was in the knockout rounds that he underlined his importance to his country. With Belgium two goals down to Japan, Fellaini was thrown into the mix, and it was his header that eventually made it 2-2. He started the quarter-final against Brazil and although Kevin de Bruyne deservedly won man of the match, a battling performance by Fellaini gave his side a solid base.
There was quite a negative reaction to the news that Fellaini had inked a new deal, but if he was to play like he did in Russia more often, those detractors might be grateful he didn’t leave after all.
World Cup Rating – 8/10
Romelu Lukaku
Overall, Lukaku had a superb tournament for Belgium, although he may be disappointed not to have walked away with the Golden Boot. After four goals in his first two games, he certainly looked like he would be a contender for the World Cup’s top scorer award, but as Roberto Martínez’s men progressed, Lukaku took on a more selfless role. United’s number 9 was entrusted with the role of being more of a complete centre forward, rather than a penalty box poacher, and this yielded some impressive results for his side.
His step-over against Japan enabled Nacer Chadli to score a last minute winner, while his 40 yard run against Brazil was topped off with a lovely pass to de Bruyne whose shot flew like an arrow into the corner. He may have sacrificed his own personal goals tally for the sake of the team, but despite Belgium’s ‘Golden Generation’ coming up short in the semi-finals, Lukaku can be very pleased with his overall contribution. Mourinho probably was as well.
World Cup Rating – 8/10
Jesse Lingard
Without doubt the most impressive of the United contingent in the England squad, by some distance. It was Lingard’s movement that drew the foul for the first penalty against Panama, before the Warrington born midfielder smacked a 25 yard screamer into the top corner. Against Sweden, it was Lingard’s cross that was headed home by Delle Alli to give England a two goal lead.
His movement off the ball caused countless headaches for the opposition. Even though he ran out of steam in the semi-final (like most of his team mates), Lingard was one of the key players in an England side that exceeded all expectations in Russia.
World Cup Rating – 8/10
Paul Pogba
Going into the tournament on the back of a season where he faced heavy criticism from fans and pundits alike, it’s fair to say that Pogba proved his point in Russia. He ended the tournament with just one goal (after his strike against Australia was ruled as an Aziz Behich own goal), but it was probably his country’s most important of the competition. After a first half in which Croatia had had the better of the play, France were ahead by virtue of a very debatable penalty. In the second half, they came out determined to clinch the trophy. With an hour gone Pogba took a shot with his right foot, which was blocked and bounced straight back to him. His second bite of the cherry was with his favoured left foot, a first time shot from the edge of the area which sailed into the net. When Kylian Mbappé scored five minutes later it was all over.
Pogba played a very disciplined role throughout the tournament, something not seen too often in a red shirt. If Mourinho can get the same level of performance from him that France manager Didier Deschamps has this last month, Old Trafford might see United’s record signing finally fulfil his obvious potential. Becoming the first Manchester United player to score in a World Cup Final might give him the confidence to do just that.
World Cup Rating – 9/10
Fred
One disappointment for United fans was that injury robbed them of the chance to get an early glimpse of their new signing. Fred suffered an ankle injury before a ball had even been kicked and, by his manager Tite’s own admission, he was never completely fit at any point during the tournament. As a result, United’s summer signing from Shakhtar Donetsk didn’t get a single minute of action in Russia. Mourinho will hope it is not a serious injury, with the new season just a few weeks away.
World Cup rating: N/A
Final Thought
The last four weeks, during which we have seen one of the best World Cups in living memory, will have given Mourinho plenty of food for thought. With the Premier League season just over three weeks away, it will probably have confirmed what he already knew about most of them – whether he intends to keep them or not.
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