Manchester United may not be playing in the Club World Cup this summer, but former Old Trafford faces are in action.
Manchester United are not involved in the Club World Cup over in the United States this summer.
Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter and Manchester City are among those involved in the reformed Club World Cup.
The tournament only allows two clubs from any one nation, with City and Chelsea taking the English spots after winning the Champions League in the last four years.
The competition is throwing up some interesting matchups, such as Boca Juniors against Benfica on Monday night.
CA Boca Juniors v SL Benfica: Group C - FIFA Club World Cup 2025
Photo by Leonardo Fernandez – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Ex-Man Utd favourite Ander Herrera suffers Club World Cup nightmare
Many fans will be burned out from seeing the elite clubs, especially just weeks after the season ended.
Seeing South American sides take on European teams is intriguing, though, and Monday night saw Boca Juniors take on Benfica in Miami.
This bad-tempered affair saw Boca take a 2-0 lead before Benfica roared back to claim a 2-2 draw.
More United News
Former United midfielder Ander Herrera signed for Boca earlier this year and the Spaniard started against Benfica.
Herrera only lasted 20 minutes, as the veteran midfielder picked up an injury and had to be substituted.
Remarkably, Herrera then picked up a straight red card for aggressively protesting against Boca conceding a penalty.
Herrera may have been on the bench at that point, but his rage boiled over and he was given his marching orders.
Former United flop Angel Di Maria stepped up to score the spot kick and Benfica grabbed a point as both sides ended the game with 10 men.
Herrera’s red card was compounded by Nicolas Figal also receiving his marching orders, while Andrea Belotti saw red for Benfica.
United fans know all about the bite in Herrera’s game, but can’t have expected to see him pick up a red card from the bench in the Club World Cup.
Herrera may be 35 now, but that fire inside him is still burning and he will hope that his Club World Cup campaign isn’t over yet – either through injury or suspension.
Why Edinson Cavani missed Boca clash
Boca named another former United ace on the bench as Marcos Rojo was selected as a substitute.
Sergio Romero missed out through a knee injury, and there was no place for former United striker Edinson Cavani.
The Uruguayan was another popular figure at Old Trafford but was not fit to play against Benfica.
Cavani is nursing a calf injury and was not fit to make the bench, despite some hope that he could be involved.’
Boca take on Bayern Munich on Saturday and while Herrera won’t be involved, Cavani could make his comeback.