5 Manchester United Players to Watch During the International Break
With the international break coming at perhaps the best time for Manchester United, given the current defensive injury crisis, as detailed by Jack de Menezes of The Independent, there is a chance for supporters to cast their eye far and wide to watch United's superstars representing their respective nations in various levels of competition.
In Europe, the focus is very much on the continuation of the qualification stage for Euro 2016, while for United's South American contingent, there are financially motivated friendlies for the players to get through, much to the annoyance of Louis van Gaal, as reported by the Daily Mail's Chris Wheeler.
"[Angel] Di Maria and [Marcos] Rojo are coming back from Hong Kong.
They are playing two friendly games. They are coming back with jetlag so I cannot train at once and then I have to wait.
Then I have only two or three days before the game with West Bromwich Albion.
That is my problem I know and we live in this football world. I was also a national coach but it is not so easy as everybody thinks.
"
Given Van Gaal's history as an international manager, he is more aware than most of the necessity of competitive international qualifiers. However, it is the fact some of his South American players are travelling such long distances for two friendly matches that has caused his frustrations to show.
With United's aforementioned injury crisis, there is a feeling that the break has come at exactly the right time, though it could be argued that the two straight victories over West Ham United and Everton gave the team an element of momentum that has been disrupted by players going off to represent their countries.
With the first round of international matches within the break taking place on Thursday, here is a list of five Manchester United players to keep an eye on over the course of the international period.
5. Antonio Valencia
1 of 5
In recent times, Antonio Valencia has rather significantly split opinion among Manchester United supporters, with the Ecuadorian's apparent unwillingness to really drive forward and take defenders on a real puzzle. I recall one supporter telling to me that "[United] haven't even got the best Valencia in the Ecuador team." That being a reference to the new West Ham signing and Antonio's namesake, Enner, who enjoyed a tremendous World Cup in Brazil.
In Ander Herrera's absence against Everton on Sunday, Valencia was deployed in central midfield. In the 4-4-2 diamond system, it is a much more wide-raging position, with the two nominal centre-midfielders expected to work up and down the line constantly.
Valencia was really quite impressive. Not only was he a physical aid to Rafael bombing forward from right-back, the former Wigan Athletic man was actually very effective in the tackle.
It must be said that Everton's midfield was lacking its usual elegance and calm nature when in possession, mainly due to the absence of James McCarthy. However, Valencia really looked to get among Gareth Barry and Co. and helped United win the ball back on numerous occasions.
With Herrera having been ruled out for "weeks" due to a fractured rib, as per Jamie Jackson of The Guardian, it is unknown whether the Spaniard will return against West Bromwich Albion. However, if the trip to the Hawthorns is a game too soon for him, Valencia has proven to be a able deputy.
Valencia is set to take part in two friendly matches over the course of the international break, with Ecuador having away matches against both the United States and El Salvador.
The match against the USA is the really interesting fixture. Given how impressive Jurgen Klinsmann's side were in Brazil last summer, the game will be a real test for Valencia's defensive and offensive abilities. Given the confidence his performance against Everton will have given him, he is certainly a player to watch in this match.
4. Wayne Rooney
2 of 5
Given the fact Wayne Rooney will not pull on the red of Manchester United again until at least November, courtesy of his three-match suspension for violent conduct, the interest for Manchester United supporters in the England captain is pure and simple: fitness.
One of the main causes for concern about Rooney in recent years has been his ability to stay fit when not playing much football, even if the absence is just a short spell out through a suspension or a slight injury.
Sir Alex Ferguson was very critical of Rooney's natural fitness levels in his autobiography, as reported by Mark Lomas of ESPN FC.
"Wayne needed to be careful. He has great qualities about him but they could be swallowed up by a lack of fitness.
It was not wise for England to give him a week’s holiday before Euro 2012 because he might lose his edge.
If he missed a couple of weeks for United it could take him four or five games to get his sharpness back.
"
This is the concern for United supporters. Rooney will play a sizable role in the two fixtures England are set to play over the next week, but given the standard of opponents—San Marino and Estonia—it is unlikely Rooney will be tested too much.
The fact remains, however, that these matches are competitive in name and represent part of England's qualification process for the 2016 European Championship, meaning Roy Hodgson's side will be determined to impress.
With this in mind, the two matches may well be truly beneficial to Rooney's fitness. However, it is certainly an issue that will be concerning some United supporters ahead of tough fixtures against Manchester City and Arsenal respectively in November.
3. Daley Blind
3 of 5
If there has been one player who has characterised United's recent upturn in form, then it is none other than Daley Blind.
After excelling as a defensive midfielder for Ajax last season and a left wing-back for the Netherlands at the World Cup, Blind has arrived at Old Trafford and slotted in effortlessly at the heart of the midfield.
Manchester United have lacked a player who can fulfil that position since Owen Hargreaves, and Blind's huge technical ability mixed with an eye for a tackle has made him a hugely popular member of the new-look United team among supporters.
One of Blind's most impressive qualities is his natural ability to retain and then distribute possession. Seldom, if ever, do you see the Ajax youth graduate hold on to the ball for too long or play a risky pass. His quick feet allow him to wriggle through tight angles before moving the ball into space on either flank.
It is this that has allowed United to regularly break with such speed so far this season, with Angel Di Maria able to fully excel and impress due to Blind's hard work.
In terms of travel, Blind does not have to venture too far as the Netherlands face Kazakhstan at home on Friday evening and Iceland away on Monday, the only real worry is the short resting period between the two fixtures.
Realistically, these are both matches that Guus Hiddink's side should be winning with comfort. However, the real point of intrigue from a Manchester United perspective comes from seeing where Blind will play.
In the Netherlands' last two international matches—a friendly defeat against Italy and a European Championship qualifying defeat against the Czech Republic—Blind was used as a wing-back as Hiddink kept the system the Dutch used during the summer.
It was a tale of two different displays for Blind, with the United midfielder enduring a nightmare performance against the Italians and impressing against the Czech's, even providing an assist for Stefan de Vrij's goal.
This constant changing of position shouldn't be a real problem for a footballer with Blind's outstanding levels of versatility. However, you worry whether the short break playing as a left-back for the Netherlands could cause minor problems.
2. Angel Di Maria
4 of 5
Old Trafford's new favourite son, Angel Di Maria has looked every bit worth the £59.7 million Manchester United sent to Real Madrid to acquire the Argentine's services. United supporters will be hoping Di Maria does not fall victim to an injury during the international break.
It has been quite a long time since United had a player who could be considered as the best footballer in the Premier League, but Di Maria's form so far in his United career has been nothing short of sensational. According to data provided by WhoScored.com, Di Maria has contributed three goals and three assists in his opening five league matches.
Argentina are set for quite the international period, with the team set to travel to Beijing to face rivals Brazil in a friendly match on Saturday before heading to Hong Kong to face the Hong Kong national team in another friendly.
Di Maria is very much a key player for Gerardo Martino, just as he was for Alejandro Sabella before him, but it is unlikely Di Maria will play the entirety of the two matches. If he did, it would cause a lot of friction between Martino and Van Gaal.
It is far more likely that Di Maria will play a bit-part role in both fixtures—it is mainly the travel which is the concern.
Given Di Maria's performance against Germany last month, during which he tore the world champions to bits, it would be wise to keep an eye out for a performance of the same standard against Brazil.
Di Maria will carry the confidence born out of his outstanding form with United over to Beijing and is certainly capable of producing another masterclass. United fans, be warned, you may end up watching the match through your hands hoping Di Maria remains injury free.
1. David de Gea
5 of 5
The stage is set for David de Gea to finally take the mantle from Spanish legend Iker Casillas and become Spain's first-choice goalkeeper for the foreseeable future.
De Gea has found it difficult to break into the senior setup in Spain, given the number of high quality, experienced 'keepers ahead of him in the pecking order. However, the World Cup showed that it was time for a rethink for Vicente del Bosque, and there can be very few arguments made to keep De Gea out of the team.
He is one of the world's elite three goalkeepers. You have Manuel Neuer at Bayern Munich, Thibaut Courtois at Chelsea and De Gea at United. There can be arguments made for Hugo Lloris to be very, very close behind.
De Gea made his first start for Spain in a friendly against France last month and will be hoping to continue in goal for the European Championship qualifiers against Slovakia and Luxembourg over the course of the next week.
The Spaniard heads into the international break in high confidence after his match-winning performance against Everton on Sunday. His final save of the afternoon was an acrobatic diving effort to tip a Bryan Oviedo strike over the bar. This save was met with widespread acclaim, including that of Chelsea stalwart Petr Cech on Twitter.
"Some people will still say that the keepers shouldn't use the opposite hand :-) what about this ...pic.twitter.com/PqDwlCX8Es
Petr Cech (@PetrCech)"
For United supporters, it is a real sign of the progress De Gea has made. There will be very few who dispute De Gea's right to take the No. 1 shirt for Spain. It will be interesting to see if Del Bosque decides to place his confidence in the 23-year-old—the results could be both spectacular and longstanding.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
