Seven United players in the World Cup semi-finals
England’s World Cup quarter-final win over Sweden means there will be seven Manchester United representatives in the semi-finals of the tournament in Russia.
Jesse Lingard and Ashley Young got the better of their Reds team-mate Victor Lindelof in Saturday’s clash in Samara, with the pair both claiming an assist in the Three Lions’ 2-0 win.
It was Young who sent over the corner for Harry Maguire to break the deadlock on the half-hour mark, in a hitherto tight and tense affair in which Lindelof had helped keep England quiet.
And as the game opened up after the break, Lingard, who worked tirelessly alongside Young on the left side of a 3-5-2, floated over the cross for Dele Alli to head home the second.
Because i said we aint going home she came here ❤️ Love You pic.twitter.com/rEPiLVdth8
— Jesse Lingard (@JesseLingard) July 7, 2018
Wow Wow Wow . #WorldCup Semi Final , Let me take a minute to let that sink in 👀 . Thank You everyone for your support here in Russia and back home , Unbelievable ! We keep going 🤘🏾🦁🏴 pic.twitter.com/xZXfovWX7Y
— Ashley Young (@youngy18) July 7, 2018
Words can’t describe.. part of something special 🦁🦁🦁 pic.twitter.com/4fDNQn5nH9
— Marcus Rashford (@MarcusRashford) July 7, 2018
Marcus Rashford came on in stoppage time and Phil Jones was an unused substitute, as goalkeeper Jordan Pickford's late heroics ensured heartache for Lindelof.
PRAISE FROM TWITTER
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 Jesse Lingard man of the match for me. So important for this England team, the runs he makes in midfield and the ground he covers is class
— DK (@itsdeekeylock) July 7, 2018
Jesse Lingard is the Iniesta of the English team. Such a good player, the glue that holds England together.
— Nicholas Watts (@nwatts88) July 7, 2018Ladies and gentlemen, please introduce Your Majesty, Jesse Ellis Lingard. Let the Earth be glorified under thee. pic.twitter.com/vgZ211GRxM
— Yafet L Kara (@yafetkara) July 7, 2018
Ashley Young now has 10 assists for #ENG
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) July 7, 2018
Deadly delivery. 🎯🎯🎯 pic.twitter.com/ll3iAdKXUS
Young may be the best crosser of the ball during this world cup quality balls in have lead to 4 headed goals already 🏴🏴 #ENG #SWE
— Jason (@Jason_TheRed) July 7, 2018
United's England quartet join Paul Pogba, Marouane Fellaini and Romelu Lukaku in the last four in Russia, with those three having booked their places on Friday.
Pogba’s France were first up in the afternoon as Les Bleus earned an impressive 2-0 victory over Uruguay, thanks to goals in each half from La Liga stars Raphael Varane and Antoine Griezmann.
Our powerful no.6 played a full match after registering his fourth start of the tournament and he was impressive once again, playing a crucial role in France winning the pivotal midfield battle.
Pogba’s next appearance will be against Belgium at the Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday night, after the Red Devils secured a remarkable 2-0 win over favourites Brazil. That means there will definitely be a United player in the World Cup final on Sunday 15 July.
KEY MENTIONS ON TWITTER
14 - Paul Pogba won 14 duels against Uruguay 🇺🇾, highest tally for a French 🇫🇷 player in a knockout game of the World Cup 🏆 since Bixente Lizarazu in July 1998 v Croatia (14). Leader.#URUFRA #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/mFgcQTVQQE
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) July 6, 2018
Congratulations to Paul Pogba who absolutely bossed the midfield against Uruguay and is through to the semi-final of the World Cup. Baller. 👏
— Devils of United (@DevilsOfUnited) July 6, 2018
Pogba looking for midfielders better than him.
— Busby MUFC (@SirMatthewBusby) July 6, 2018
pic.twitter.com/MfkRDmRmlB
Fellaini and Lukaku were both named in the starting XI by boss Roberto Martinez, who was delighted when his side took an early lead thanks to an own goal from Fernandinho.
Our in-form no.9, Lukaku, then drove up the field, past several Brazilian opponents, to play an effective pass out wide to Kevin De Bruyne, who lashed home a sensational effort from range.
The Samba Stars ensured a nervous finale thanks to Renato Augusto’s second-half riposte and Neymar was denied a late penalty, but Belgium hung on for the win.
What a night !!! World Cup semifinals 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 #redtogether🇧🇪 @BelRedDevils @FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/lwzJIGhLge
— Marouane Fellaini (@Fellaini) July 6, 2018
Fred, who completed his transfer to United from Shakhtar Donetsk in June, was unfortunately an unused substitute and the 25-year-old’s World Cup dream is over following the loss to Belgium.
PRAISE FROM TWITTER
Just a reminder that Marouane Fellaini is bossing the midfield against Brazil. He deserves so much more respect. #mufc pic.twitter.com/v3k3T5o9xD
— United Xtra (@utdxtra) July 6, 2018
Marouane Fellaini knows how to deal with Neymar. #WorldCup #BRA #BEL #BRABEL pic.twitter.com/JmZpV8vPhl
— 🇧🇷 vs 🇧🇪 Football Tweet (@Football__Tweet) July 6, 2018
6 - Romelu Lukaku 🇧🇪 has been involved in 6 goals in his last 6 World Cup 🏆 games (5 goals, 1 assist), after being involved in none in his first 2. Impressive.#WorldCup #BRABEL pic.twitter.com/Dm2dBjQMAw
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) July 6, 2018
Lukaku - Strength. Power. Pace. Brilliant! He's unplayable tonight! #BRABEL
— Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) July 6, 2018
Rio Ferdinand: “Lukaku seems to me, you know when you play in the school playground? He looks like he’s too big and strong for everyone. He shouldn’t be allowed to play.” #Beast 😂😂[BBC]
— SCHOLES (@iamscholes) July 6, 2018
Live scenes as Lukaku runs away from Miranda 😂 #BRABEL pic.twitter.com/hxNDrqZXuw
— UNILAD Football (@UNILADFooty) July 6, 2018
WHAT'S NEXT FOR UNITED'S REPRESENTATIVES?
Pogba meets Fellaini and Lukaku in Tuesday’s first semi-final between France and Belgium in Saint Petersburg, while England face hosts Russia or Croatia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Wednesday. Both games kick off at 19:00 BST.