Only a handful of Manchester United players remain at the World Cup as the eight remaining nations prepare for their quarter-final matches, beginning on Thursday evening
Amad, Lisandro Martinez and Marcus Rashford are among the Manchester United players at the World Cup
Amad, Lisandro Martinez and Marcus Rashford are among the Manchester United players at the World Cup(Image: Getty Images)
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Manchester United's players return to pre-season on Thursday ahead of their first fixture against Wrexham next week. But due to the World Cup, a reduced list of players will be coming back to Carrington this week, looking to prove a point after either missing out on the tournament, or being overlooked.
For 12 lucky Reds, they have been out in the USA, Mexico and Canada this summer enjoying a mixed tournament. From World Cup heartache, dramatic late goals and injuries, United's stars have been through the wringer with their national teams.
So, with a rare off day for the World Cup as the eight remaining nations prepare for the quarter-finals, MEN Sport has reassessed the ratings for United's players at the tournament.
Senne Lammens
A victim of playing for the same nation as Thibaut Courtois means Lammens has been forced to remain on the bench this summer. Belgium are still alive and kicking at the World Cup so a chance could be around the corner for him. 5/10
Altay Bayindir
An early exit for Turkey makes this a disastrous summer for Bayindir. Admittedly though, he can't be blamed considering he was an unused substitute for their three group stage matches. The only sour note for him was that, like at United, he did not get a sniff even when pride was the only thing on the line against the USA. 5/10
Diogo Dalot
Dalot will feel he could have contributed more for Portugal this tournament. He was given 45 minutes against Colombia in what was effectively a dead rubber, to prove himself. That did not work as he was an unused substitute in the round of 32 win against Croatia. He was brought on for the final 19 minutes of a drab clash with Spain. In that time, Mikel Merino scored the winner to knock Dalot and his country out. 5/10
Noussair Mazraoui
He has shown that a team is greater than the sum of its parts. Whenever Mazraoui pulls on the Morocco shirt, you can expect a solid defensive display. He has given that to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) holders as they reached the quarter-finals again with a convincing win over Canada. Their hardest challenge against France is still to come but you wouldn't rule them out of an upset. 7/10
Lisandro Martinez
He has been the go-to man at the heart of the Argentine defence alongside Cristian Romero. He was the hero against Cape Verde, scoring one and assisting another. But, a defender will always be judged at the other end of the pitch and it was a shaky display against Egypt that has tempered enthusiasm for the United man. Still, he remains at the World Cup and it has been a good summer for Martinez overall. 7/10
Kobbie Mainoo
The clash against DR Congo felt like the ideal moment for Mainoo to make an impact. Instead, Thomas Tuchel turned to Eberechi Eze. That was a blow for the United man but considering where he was at Christmas, being in the squad alone was a great achievement. At least he will be fresh for the Reds. 5/10
Manuel Ugarte
A tough tournament for Uruguay and Ugarte was compounded when the defensive midfielder suffered what looks to be a serious injury against Spain. Any chance of a summer exit has disappeared too. 4/10
Tyler Fletcher
The youngster was not expecting this call-up so anything he could take out of the experience was a bonus. Unsurprisingly, he was an unused substitute for all of Scotland's games but this will have been an unforgettable summer for the 19-year-old. 5/10
Bruno Fernandes
Portugal looked like they were going through an identity crisis at this World Cup. Everyone could see they needed to build the team around Fernandes but the Cristiano Ronaldo circus took centre stage instead. Roberto Martinez looked to build attacks from the flanks leaving the United captain to seem ineffectual through the middle. Just one assist after the season he had, tells its own story. At least he knows the Reds will use him properly. 6/10
Marcus Rashford
It all started so well for Rashford this summer. He made a point against Croatia sealing a 4-2 win in the opening group stage game. However, the knockout stages have seen his momentum stall. Anthony Gordon has made that left wing position his own, firstly by assisting Harry Kane against DR Congo and then by producing a superb display at the Azteca against Mexico. Rashford was an unused substitute against the co-hosts and will likely be on the bench again on Saturday vs Norway. 6/10
Amad
Hard to argue with this being anything but a successful tournament for Amad. It began on a positive note with the winner against Ecuador in the group stage opener. The Ivorian can feel rightly aggrieved to be dropped for the round of 32 clash against Norway but when he came on, he was a live wire for his country. He scored after less than 15 minutes on the pitch and nearly bagged a wonderful second only for Erling Haaland to win it at the death. Amad should return to Carrington with his confidence up. 8/10
Matheus Cunha
Unfortunately for Cunha, a tournament that held so much promise has ended in a whimper. Personally, Cunha can be pleased with what he accomplished. His goals against Haiti and Scotland in the false nine role have given Michael Carrick food for thought. But it was a flat display against Norway that will leave a lasting memory for the Brazil international. 7/10