Seven United players in the World Cup semi-finals

Saturday 07 July 2018 16:58

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. 

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

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

Paul Pogba produced another influential performance as France claimed a 2-0 win over Uruguay.

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.


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

Marouane Fellaini and Romelu Lukaku both started Belgium's excellent win over Brazil.

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.