Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Mike Phelan

The week ahead for United

Monday 18 March 2019 09:33

The final international break of the season has arrived, however it doesn't mean life is any less quiet at Manchester United. Here is our weekly guide to bring you up to speed with what's around the corner over the next seven days...

MONDAY

United stars past and present are celebrating their birthday today with defender Diogo Dalot and former manager, and current MUTV pundit, Ron Atkinson turning 20 and 80 respectively.

Of course, reaction to Saturday's Emirates FA Cup game against Wolves will continue in The Paddy Crerand Show, a weekly dose of topical chat with the club legend at the usual time of 18:30 GMT on MUTV.

TUESDAY

Former star Ryan Giggs is at the Aon Training Complex with his Wales squad - we hope to hear from our most decorated player in familiar surroundings.

You're not 19 forever! United defender Diogo Dalot turns 20 years old on Monday.

WEDNESDAY

The international games spark into life with Nemanja Matic and his Serbian compatriots travelling to Wolfsburg to take on Germany in a friendly. The kick-off is at 19:45 GMT and you can keep up-to-date with how he and his team-mates get on with their respective countries via our international Reds blog. Also, Angel Gomes will link up with the England Under-19s as they take part in their first game of the Elite Qualifying Round for European Championship against Czech Republic (kick-off 14:00 GMT).

Elsewhere, Wednesday marks three years since Marcus Rashford scored the winner in our victory over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. Argentinian defender Marcos Rojo will celebrate his 29th birthday.

THURSDAY

Three more United players will link up with their international squads on Thursday. Scott McTominay and Scotland will take on Kazakhstan in the first of their Euro 2020 qualifiers (kick-off 15:00 GMT). The youngster has again been called up by Alex McLeish after a number of standout performances for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Reds in the league and Champions League.

Romelu Lukaku has received a call-up too, however it remains to be seen whether the Belgian will feature in their opening qualifier against Cyprus (19:45 GMT) after recently picking up a foot injury. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who is on loan at Sheffield United, has been selected for England Under-21s, who will play Poland at Bristol City's Ashton Gate (kick-off 19:45 GMT).

It is also a 'Throwback Thursday' for United fans as we cast our minds back to the famous Treble season and our 3-1 win over Everton. Three goals in 13 second-half minutes set the Reds on the way to victory with goals from Solskjaer, Gary Neville and David Beckham in a result that saw Alex Ferguson's side open up a four-point cushion at the top of the Premier League table.

Video
Juan Mata's brace proved to be the difference as United beat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield four years ago on Friday.

FRIDAY

On Friday, it will be four years since an incredible brace from Juan Mata enabled United to get the better of Liverpool at Anfield. The match was also notable for the hosts' Steven Gerrard getting sent off for a stamp on Ander Herrera, a mere 38 seconds after the half-time interval.

Meanwhile, Antonio Valencia will travel with Ecuador to Florida to take on USA in a friendly (kick-off at 00:00 GMT), while, closer to home, Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw have been called up to Gareth Southgate's England squad as they take on Czech Republic in a Euro 2020 qualifier at Wembley Stadium (kick-off 19:45 GMT).

Injury forces Martial to return from France

 Article

Catch up on the news that Anthony and another United team-mate will not represent their countries in the break.

SATURDAY

A further three Reds could feature for their respective nations on Saturday. World Cup-winner Paul Pogba will be in action for France as Les Bleus head east to take on Moldova in a Euro 2020 qualifier (kick-off 19:45 GMT) while Eric Bailly could feature for Ivory Coast as they host Rwanda in their final AFCON qualifier (17:00 GMT). David De Gea has been called up to the Spain squad who will meet Norway in their qualifier (19:45 GMT).

Saturday will also see former Reds keeper, Raimond van der Gouw, celebrate his 55th birthday. The Dutchman made 37 league appearances for the club between 1996 and 2001.

SUNDAY

The weekend concludes with Lukaku's Belgium travelling to Cyprus in their second Euro 2020 qualifier while McTominay and Scotland are in action against European minnows, San Marino - both games kick off at 19:45 GMT. 

It may be the international break for the men, but United's Women are back in FA Women's Championship competition, with a trip to London to face third-placed Charlton (kick-off 14:00 GMT). This is a rescheduled fixture after the original game was abandoned, following an injury to Addicks player Charlotte Kerr.

Recommended: