United players set for the World Cup quarter-finals
The World Cup has reached its critical phase and nine Manchester United players are gearing up for the quarter-finals in Russia...
POGBA IS FIRST UP
The last-eight ties get under way on Friday afternoon when France take on Uruguay, who have former Reds full-back Guillermo Varela in their squad, in Nizhny Novgorod at 15:00 BST.
Paul was involved in all three of France’s goals in the group stage and played his part in helping Les Bleus beat Marcos Rojo’s Argentina 4-3 in a thrilling last-16 clash in Kazan.
Didier Deschamps' side face another tough test against South American opposition in the Uruguayans, who have won all four of their games so far and knocked out Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in the previous round.
A MOUTHWATERING MATCH
Later on Friday, at 19:00 BST, three United players could face each other when Brazil take on Belgium in what promises to be a mouthwatering encounter at the Kazan Arena.
With Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro suspended, after picking up his second yellow card of the tournament in Brazil’s last-16 win over Mexico, Fred is likely to make his first appearance of the tournament, offering Reds supporters an opportunity to watch our new signing in action.
Romelu Lukaku is naturally set to start and the towering striker hopes to maintain his pursuit of the Golden Boot award, having scored four goals in the tournament so far. Marouane Fellaini may also feature, after bagging a crucial equaliser during Belgium's stunning 3-2 comeback win over Japan in the previous round.
Phew! Fellaini scores in comeback
ArticleMarouane Fellaini came off the bench to score as Belgium reached the World Cup quarter-finals in thrilling fashion.
ANOTHER UNITED REUNION
Phil Jones, Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford and Ashley Young could all face their club team-mate Victor Lindelof when England take on Sweden on Saturday afternoon at 15:00 BST in Samara.
The Three Lions qualified for the quarter-final via a penalty shootout victory over Colombia, following a tense 1-1 draw in Moscow. Earlier that day, the Swedes had secured a celebrated 1-0 success over Switzerland in Saint Petersburg.
Rashford's role in World Cup history
ArticleMarcus Rashford found the net as England beat Colombia on penalties to reach the Russia 2018 quarter-finals.
ANALYSIS
ManUtd.com's Mark Froggatt
With France, Brazil and Belgium all in the top half of the draw, it is extremely likely that we will have some United representation in the World Cup final on Sunday 15 July - unless, of course, Uruguay cause a couple of sizeable upsets and ruin everything for us.
On the other side of the draw, the last-eight tie between Sweden and England guarantees our semi-final participation against Russia or Croatia. That would be a tough game, of course, but it's also extremely winnable and raises the prospect of a United v United finale.
Hopefully, with a bit of luck, one of our lads will join Sir Bobby Charlton, Nobby Stiles, John Connelly, Fabien Barthez, Laurent Blanc, Kleberson, Gerard Pique, Juan Mata and Bastian Schweinsteiger on the list of Reds who have lifted the most prestigious trophy in football.
WORLD CUP QUARTER-FINAL FIXTURES
Uruguay v France: Friday at 15:00 BST in Nizhny Novgorod
Brazil v Belgium: Friday at 19:00 BST in Kazan
England v Sweden: Saturday at 15:00 BST in Samara
Russia v Croatia: Saturday at 19:00 BST in Sochi