World Cup 2018: Reds who've made it to Russia

SWEDEN

Victor Lindelof was the final United man to clinch a spot at the World Cup as Sweden overcame Italy, 1-0 on aggregate, on Monday night. The ball-playing defender played a crucial role in the play-off stage, helping the Swedes to shut out the Azzurri twice, at the expense of his club-mate Matteo Darmian, who also played in both games.

Lindelof was a mainstay of Janne Andersson's side throughout the qualification process, featuring in all but one of the matches, and grabbing himself his first international goal in the 3-0 defeat of Bulgaria in October 2016. Meanwhile, Darmian - who now has 36 caps to his name - was also a regular for his country, playing in both full-back roles, and at wing-back on occasion.

Of course, Reds striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has retired from international duty, but he could also be available for the Swedes if he was to reverse that decision next year.

ENGLAND

Gareth Southgate's England topped Group F after they finished their qualification campaign unbeaten, with eight wins from 10 games, and four Reds stars were involved.

Marcus Rashford played in eight of England's 10 qualifiers and scored the decisive goal in the Three Lions' 2-1 win over Slovakia in September. Meanwhile, Jesse Lingard featured four times across the qualifying campaign, Phil Jones played twice - in September's wins over Malta and Slovakia - and Chris Smalling made his sole appearance in the 2-2 draw with Scotland in June, though he was an ever-present figure in Southgate's squads.

Michael Carrick, Ashley Young and Luke Shaw have all been previously capped by England, and though none of them played in any of the qualifiers, they could come under consideration for a place in Russia next summer. Young was recalled to the squad for this month's friendlies against Germany and Brazil.

FRANCE

With Paul Pogba playing a pivotal role, France topped Group A to pip Sweden for an automatic place in the finals. Les Bleus were beaten just once in their 10 qualifiers - a 2-1 loss to Sweden - but Didier Deschamps's side managed to win seven matches and draw the remaining two to secure their place in Russia.

United midfielder Pogba played in seven of his nation's qualifiers, scoring twice, in successive wins over Sweden and the Netherlands. Anthony Martial played in two early qualifiers, and was recently recalled into the squad for the November friendlies.

SPAIN

Elsewhere, 2010 World Cup winners Spain managed to progress from Group G comfortably - with nine wins from 10 games - despite the presence of 2006 winners Italy in their pool. David De Gea was a mainstay between the sticks for La Roja, playing the opening nine matches, keeping six clean sheets.

Neither Ander Herrera or Juan Mata featured for Julen Lopetegui's side during the qualifers, but both featured in several of his squads and will retain hopes of being selected for the summer.

BELGIUM

Reds striker Romelu Lukaku and midfielder Marouane Fellaini clinched a World Cup finals spot with a dominant Belgium side who won nine of their 10 qualifying matches in Group H, which included an 8-1 thumping of Estonia and a 9-0 thrashing of Gibraltar - in which Lukaku netted a hat-trick.

United's no.9 was in fine form throughout the qualifying campaign, scoring 11 goals in eight matches. Fellaini was a major influence in the Rode Duivels' engine room, making six, industrious appearances.

SERBIA

United's summer signing from Chelsea, Nemanja Matic, will head to Russia with Serbia, after they topped Group D ahead of the Republic of Ireland and Wales. Matic's side won six of their 10 games, and lost just once.

The experienced midfielder played in seven of his nation's matches, scoring one goal, in the 3-2 defeat to Austria. Upon securing a place in Russia, Matic said: "I'm the happiest at this time, thanks to the people that supported us. We showed passion in fighting for Serbia's jersey and we deserve to be in Russia."

ARGENTINA

Meanwhile, in South America, an incredible hat-trick by four-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi - in a vital 3-1 win over Ecuador - rescued Argentina from the agony of failing to qualify. As a result of that victory, United's Sergio Romero and Marcos Rojo and their countrymen finished third in their group and sealed an automatic place in Russia alongside Brazil, Uruguay and Colombia.

Romero - who is closing in on 100 caps - played in all 18 of Argentina's qualifiers, keeping eight clean sheets. Combative defender Rojo missed the latter half of the qualfying campaign, but he did still manage to feature in eight qualifiers, and will be looking for a place on the plane next June.

THE ONES WHO MISSED OUT

Some Reds were left disappointed as their nations failed to qualify for the World Cup finals in Russia, the aforementioned Matteo Darmian being one of them. The full-back's Italy side lost out in the play-offs to Sweden, and as a result, will not feature at the World Cup for the first tournament since 1958.

Daley Blind and Timo Fosu-Mensah will also be watching this summer's action on TV, as their Netherlands side finished third in Group A, behind Sweden and France, who topped the group. Blind - who recently won his 50th cap - played at left-back in all of his nation's qualifiers, while Fosu-Mensah made his sole appearance, and his international debut, in the 4-0 defeat to France.

Ecuador, captained by Antonio Valencia, also fell short of expectations, as they finished eighth in the South American group, seven points behind Colombia, who occupied the final qualification spot. The flying full-back played in 12 of his nation's qualifiers, providing three assists and scoring one goal, in the 3-0 victory over Chile.

Ivory Coast also missed out as they finished four points behind Morocco, who won African Group C, meaning Eric Bailly will play no part in next year's World Cup. The no-nonsense centre-back played in four of his nation's clashes, taking his international appearance tally to 27.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan's Armenia also failed to reach the finals in Russia, as they finished fifth in Group E, with two wins and one draw from their 10 games. Skipper Mkhitaryan played in seven of his country's matches, contributing two goals and two assists.