Man Utd stars on international duty: Key fixtures and players to watch

As club football takes a brief pause, several Manchester United players are set to represent their nations in crucial international fixtures. From World Cup qualifiers in Africa and South America to the UEFA Nations League and European qualifiers, Red Devils will be competing across the globe. Here's a look at the key matches and which United players could make an impact.
Leicester City FC v Manchester United FC - Premier League
Leicester City FC v Manchester United FC - Premier League | Malcolm Couzens/GettyImages

A total of 12 Manchester United players have been called up for senior international duty during the March break, with fixtures scheduled from this Wednesday to next Tuesday. The Red Devils head into the break on a high after a convincing 3-0 away win over Leicester City.

Denmark has the most United representation, with Rasmus Højlund, Christian Eriksen, and Patrick Dorgu called up. They will face Portugal, where club captain Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot are expected to feature. The first leg of their UEFA Nations League A Championship quarter-final takes place at home on Thursday, with the return leg in Portugal on Sunday. The winner will face Italy or Germany in a one-off semi-final in early June.

Matthijs de Ligt is another United player involved in the Nations League quarter-finals, as his Netherlands side faces Spain. The first leg is set for Thursday at Stadion Feijenoord, followed by the return leg in Spain on Sunday.

James Scanlon, who was on the bench during United’s Europa League win over Real Sociedad, has been called up by Gibraltar. They host Montenegro in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday, followed by a visit to Czechia on Tuesday.

Marcus Rashford, currently on loan at Aston Villa, will be hoping for minutes with England in their World Cup qualifiers. They are set to face Albania at Wembley Stadium on Friday, followed by a match against Latvia at the same venue on Monday.

Victor Lindelöf has been called up by Sweden for two friendlies. They visit Luxembourg on Saturday and host Northern Ireland on Tuesday.

The first United player in action during the break could be André Onana for Cameroon. They visit Eswatini on Wednesday for their fifth CAF World Cup qualifier, currently topping Group L. Their second match is a home fixture against Libya on Tuesday.

Noussair Mazraoui will represent Morocco in their CAF World Cup qualifiers. The Group E leaders visit Niger on Friday, followed by a home game against Tanzania on Tuesday.

In South America, Manuel Ugarte and his Uruguay side continue their CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers. Currently second behind Argentina after 12 matches, they face the World Champions on Saturday at Estadio Centenario. They conclude the break with an away match against Bolivia on Tuesday.

Full fixture list

Wednesday, March 20

  • Eswatini vs. Cameroon - CAF World Cup Qualifier
    Kick-off: 4:00 pm GMT
    Player Involved: André Onana

Thursday, March 21

  • Denmark vs. Portugal - UEFA Nations League A Quarter-final, First Leg
    Kick-off: 7:45 pm GMT
    Players Involved: Rasmus Højlund, Christian Eriksen, Patrick Dorgu (Denmark); Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot (Portugal)
  • Netherlands vs. Spain - UEFA Nations League A Quarter-final, First Leg
    Kick-off: 7:45 pm GMT
    Player Involved: Matthijs de Ligt

Friday, March 22

  • England vs. Albania - UEFA World Cup Qualifier
    Kick-off: 7:45 pm GMT
    Player Involved: Marcus Rashford
  • Niger vs. Morocco - CAF World Cup Qualifier
    Kick-off: 9:30 pm GMT
    Player Involved: Noussair Mazraoui

Saturday, March 23

  • Uruguay vs. Argentina - CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifier
    Kick-off: 12:30 am GMT
    Player Involved: Manuel Ugarte
  • Gibraltar vs. Montenegro - UEFA World Cup Qualifier
    Kick-off: 5:00 pm GMT
    Player Involved: James Scanlon
  • Luxembourg vs. Sweden - International Friendly
    Kick-off: 5:00 pm GMT
    Player Involved: Victor Lindelöf

Sunday, March 24

  • Portugal vs. Denmark - UEFA Nations League A Quarter-final, Second Leg
    Kick-off: 7:45 pm GMT
    Players Involved: Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot (Portugal); Rasmus Højlund, Christian Eriksen, Patrick Dorgu (Denmark)
  • Spain vs. Netherlands - UEFA Nations League A Quarter-final, Second Leg
    Kick-off: 7:45 pm GMT
    Player Involved: Matthijs de Ligt

Monday, March 25

  • England vs. Latvia - UEFA World Cup Qualifier
    Kick-off: 7:45 pm GMT
    Player Involved: Marcus Rashford

Tuesday, March 26

  • Sweden vs. Northern Ireland - International Friendly
    Kick-off: 6:00 pm GMT
    Player Involved: Victor Lindelöf
  • Cameroon vs. Libya - CAF World Cup Qualifier
    Kick-off: 7:00 pm GMT
    Player Involved: André Onana
  • Czechia vs. Gibraltar - UEFA World Cup Qualifier
    Kick-off: 7:45 pm GMT
    Player Involved: James Scanlon
  • Bolivia vs. Uruguay - CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifier
    Kick-off: 8:00 pm GMT
    Player Involved: Manuel Ugarte
  • Morocco vs. Tanzania - CAF World Cup Qualifier
    Kick-off: 9:30 pm GMT
    Player Involved: Noussair Mazraoui

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