With the international break wrapping up, Manchester United's squad will now be coming back to the club, with some players having a better spell with their countries than others
Bryan Mbeumo of Manchester United looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Burnley at Old Trafford on August 30, 2025 in Manchester, England
Bryan Mbeumo endured a difficult time in the international break(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo was seen consoling Carlos Baleba after the pair were on the receiving end of a shock result in the international break.
The £71m signing and the Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder were representing Cameroon in the African World Cup qualification matches. The Indomitable Lions were heavy favourites against Cape Verde, who have never qualified for the competition in their football history.
However, Dailon Livramento's second half goal saw the tiny African nation, which is located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of West Africa, secure a shock 1-0 victory. Cameroon were left shell-shocked after the match, which has thrown a spanner in their hopes of qualifying for the competition in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
The crowd at the Estadio Nacional de Cabo Verde was so stunned by the victory - which leaves them on the verge of guaranteeing automatic qualification for the 2026 competition - that a huge pitch invasion took place.
Fortunately for Mbeumo, he had been substituted before the final whistle, which gave him an opportunity to seek out Baleba before the thousands of Cape Verdeans came onto the pitch.
Mbeumo actions towards the United transfer target suggests he could be key if the club act on their interest in Baleba and attempt to bring him to Old Trafford. Ruben Amorim's side were linked with a move for the Seagulls midfielder, but did not put forward an official bid for his services.
As Mbeumo was trying to calm Baleba, Hojlund offered Amorim a glimpse of what might have been. The Dane fell out of favour at United and left the club.
Hojlund, 22, secured a loan move to Napoli, which will become a £38m permanent move if the defending Serie A winners qualify for the Champions League. During his time with Denmark, the £72m signing from Atalanta scored in his nation's 3-0 away victory over Greece.
It was a significant goal from a United perspective, as Hojlund's goal came courtesy of an assist from Patrick Dorgu. With the latter often being one of the furthest players forward as a result of Amorim encouraging his wing-backs to attack, the United boss' first ever signing assisting Hojlund might have been a regular sight at Old Trafford had things gone differently.
Rasmus Hojlund of Denmark celebrates scoring his team's third goal with Patrick Dorgu and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Greece and Denmark at Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis on September 08, 2025 in Piraeus, Greece
Dorgu provided the assist for Hojlund's goal(Image: 2025 UEFA)
Despite his disappointment at being shipped out of United, Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb claimed Hojlund was seen training with his new Napoli team-mates, less than 24 hours after returning from international duty. It's a clear sign he will be doing everything he can to prove United wrong.
He said: "It’s different now, obviously, as I come with more experience and I’m a better football player. I come with a lot of international experience, I played in the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League, and in multiple countries. I come with a lot to prove.
"I want to show myself in the best team in Italy, and Napoli is going to be very, very good. I always work hard, I like to say I want to die on the pitch, to give everything for the team, to score goals, create, and fight for everything.”