clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Your guide to Manchester United's international break

Here's where United's players are flying off to this fortnight.

Wales v Belgium - Quarter Final: UEFA Euro 2016 Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images

Manchester United's relentless fixture list takes a pause for the rest of the month, as international football creaks back into life. For the United fan, this is a mixed blessing. On the one hand, it means we don't have to have the Paul Pogba argument for at least another couple of weeks. The Frenchman is injured, and will be taking his leisure.

But on the other, the possibility of injuries and general knackeredness looms large. Fifteen members of United's first-team squad are jetting off around the world, and a if a delicate hamstring meets a bumpy pitch, things could get really annoying. So, breathe. Then cross your fingers. Here's where they're all going.

Let's start with England, who have a friendly with Germany and a World Cup qualifier against Lithuania coming up. Wayne Rooney's still crocked but Marcus Rashford has gone to try and score some goals, along with Luke Shaw, Jesse Lingard and Chris Smalling. There's also a welcome return to the international frame for Phil Jones.

[phone rings]

We regret to announce that Phil Jones has picked up an injury and has returned to Manchester United.

Elsewhere in Europe, Marouane Fellaini's off to help Belgium in their qualifier against Greece and their friendly against Russia. David de Gea and Ander Herrera may be representing Spain against Finland in qualifying, then France in a friendly. And Henrikh Mkhitaryan will captain Armenia in their qualifier against Kazakhstan.

Matteo Darmian's exchanging Mancunian red for Italian blue, and will be hoping to face Albania in a qualifier and Netherlands in a friendly. He might well end up facing Daley Blind in that latter game; the Dutch also have a qualifier against Bulgaria to navigate.

To South America next. Antonio Valencia will be flying the flag for Ecuador in World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay, while Sergio Romero and Marcos Rojo will be trying to keep Argentina's opponents — Chile and Bolivia — at bay.

Finally, Eric Bailly will be representing the Cote d'Ivoire in their friendlies against Russia and Senegal. Anybody planning to watch or attend any of the games? Let us know in the comments.

FIXTURES

Wednesday 22 March

Germany v England

Thursday 23 March

Paraguay v Ecuador
Argentina v Chile

Friday 24 March

Ivory Coast v Russia
Spain v Israel
Italy v Albania

Saturday 25 March

Bulgaria v Netherlands
Belgium v Greece

Sunday 26 March

Armenia v Kazakhstan
England v Lithuania

Monday 27 March

Ivory Coast v Senegal

Tuesday 28 March

Ecuador v Colombia
Bolivia v Argentina
Netherlands v Italy
France v Spain
Russia v Belgium