Several United players are on international duty over the coming days – but the stakes are highest for four in particular.

A place in next summer's World Cup finals in South Africa is up for grabs when John O'Shea and Darron Gibson's Republic of Ireland take on Patrice Evra and France in their two-legged play-off. Ireland welcome Les Bleus to Croke Park on Saturday, before visiting Paris on Wednesday.

Nani is involved in one of the three other European play-offs, which comprise the eight best second-placed teams from the nine qualifying groups.

The winger's Portugal team – managed by former United assistant boss Carlos Queiroz – face a tough tie against Bosnia-Herzegovina, with the first leg in Leiria on Saturday.

Three more Reds could be in opposition on Wednesday when South Korea take on Serbia in a friendly at Craven Cottage. Ji-sung Park is expected to be fit to lead his country after his recent knee problem, while Nemanja Vidic and Zoran Tosic could line up for the Serbs.

Before then both countries play friendlies against other nations – South Korea are in Denmark and Serbia travel to Jonny Evans' Northern Ireland on Saturday.

England are still without Rio Ferdinand through injury, but Ben Foster