4 Manchester United players who had a stellar FIFA World Cup 2018

Manchester United are currently at the United States on their pre-season tour, hoping for a strong preparation to their upcoming season.

Even though they finished second in the Premier League last season, the best finish since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, it has been a substandard year for United.

They ended the season without a single trophy and were poor in the Champions League as well. Jose Mourinho was expected to win the League in his second year in charge, as his records implied, but in truth, even though they had more points and a far better league position compared to his first year, they did not better or even match the trophy count.

As such, Mourinho and Manchester United both have a point to prove in the upcoming season and will be hoping that the players will start the season with a bang.

More than anything, Mourinho should be looking forward to players who competed in the World Cup to build on their experience and influence and inspire the rest of the team.

The recently concluded FIFA World Cup was a showcase of talent in front of the whole word. It is interesting then, to note that 11 Manchester United stars were involved in the World Cup this year, representing their own countries in various stages of the competition.

We pick the four best performers among them, who had a strong performance in the World Cup and should be raring to go and perform for United in the 2018-2019 season.

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#4 Victor Lindelof

Victor Lindelof represented Sweden in the World Cup and he started in all games for his country but one, which he missed due to injury. He played 4 games, covering a distance of 34.5Kms, attempting 100 passes and completing 84 of them. He recovered the ball 19 times and had 2 blocks and 19 clearances to his name. He committed just one foul.

He had a fine World Cup and was the mainstay of the Sweden defence alongside veteran defender Andreas Granqvist.

Lindelof was assured on the ball and seemed totally at home. He had a forgettable first season at Manchester United, looking nervous and unsure on many occasions and as such the World Cup came at a right time for him.

He should be taking back a lot of confidence and valuable lessons and would have shown Jose Mourinho that with a stable defensive partner, Lindelof has the ability to marshal the United defence. It is now left to see whether Mourinho would thrust him into action immediately and team him up with the rock-solid Bailey from the start of the season.

#3 Ashley Young

A year ago, had anyone proclaimed that Ashley Young of all people would be one of the stand-out performers of the English team and would be their preferred left back, it would have generated a lot of laughs. Yet, the Manchester United winger turned left back had a fantastic World Cup. He had rejuvenated himself under Jose Mourinho last season, taking his manager’s challenge to remodel his game as a left back and had excelled at the position for United. And he had carried that form into the England Team, securing his position and leaving Danny Rose on the bench. Young played 5 games, 462 minutes in total and covered 47.9Kms. He even had 2 attempts at goal, with one of them on target. He attempted 194 passes, completing 160 of them. He attempted 17 crosses, 12 deliveries into the penalty area and also had 1 dribble into the penalty area. He was strong defensively too, with 4 tackles, 18 recovered balls and 5 clearances. He committed 4 fouls, but also suffered 3.

Young complimented the attacking English side well, adjusting himself to the role of a wingback in Southgate’s system and never looked out of place. In fact, in his absence, the team had looked vulnerable. The only concern was that he lost his legs as the game wore on, getting tired and ultimately being substituted. But this is understandable for a player who is entering or is already in the twilight of his career. Mourinho cannot use him as frequently as he did last season and it remains to be seen whether, in the case that Alex Sandro does not arrive, Luke Shaw would finally step up. Young would be a terrific mentor to look up to for the young Englishman.

#2 Romelu Lukaku

Belgium v England: 3rd Place Playoff - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

Romelu Lukaku had a strong start to the FIFA World Cup and was in the contention for the Golden Boot, scoring 4 goals. With a little more precision and poise in front of goal, the big Belgian might have even won it, but Lukaku showed more than just the goal scoring side of his game. He showed his strength in the counter attacks, he showed that he could bulldoze past defences, combining blistering pace with raw muscle. He even showed that he could adjust his game as per the requirements of the team, playing in the right wing when required. He played 6 games for Belgium and covered 41.2 Kms, scoring 4 goals. Incidentally, he scored 2 with his left foot and 1 each with his right foot and his head. He had 13 attempts, with 5 of them on target. He also had 1 assist to his name. He attempted 3 deliveries and 8 dribbles into the penalty area and also suffered 3 fouls.

Lukaku’s finishing and his awareness of his teammate would certainly have Mourinho glowing, but his infamous first touch was on display in the tournament more often than desirable and this would concern Mourinho. Another positive was his beautiful combination with Hazard and De Bruyne in the Belgium team and the United Manager will be hoping for more of that in the colours of the club. Technically, Mourinho has the personnel in his kitty to replicate that combination – the pace and power of Alexis Sanchez, Marcus Rashford, the vision of Paul Pogba and it will be interesting to see whether the Manchester United Manager can get his combinations right and help Lukaku hit a higher gear.

#1 Paul Pogba

You know you had an outstanding World Cup when you can lift the trophy after the final. Paul Pogba is a World Cup winner. The only Manchester United player to score in a World Cup final. Tells a lot about a player who was criticized last season at every hiccup, and when his lifestyle was discussed more than his football. Pogba did not have a great season, but then he did not do too poorly either. He had his moments of brilliance and all he had to do was gain the consistency that is typical of all the great players. Whatever he lacked in the 2017-2018 season, he made up for in the World Cup. He had the resources around him, a team that worked together and exceptional talents all over the park. But he was the engine of the French side, the one who dictated the tempo of the games. Pogba played 6 games for France, covering a distance of 58.2 Kms! He had 8 attempts, with 2 of them on target and scored 1 goal. He attempted 296 passes, completing 245 of them. Interestingly, he completed 36 long balls!

Deschamps had unleashed Pogba onto the world, putting defensive responsibilities on Kante and Matuidi, but Pogba was not the one to shy away from war. He attempted 8 tackles, suffered 15. He recovered the ball 21 times and made 16 clearances and 2 blocks. He committed 14 fouls and suffered 17 himself and also got himself a yellow card for all his troubles. He was as active in retrieving the ball as he was in clearing it and his long balls were the stuff of dreams. How many times did he find Griezmann, Mbappe, Giroud with his inch-perfect balls? How many times did he lay the ball into the path of Mbappe so well that the youngster did not have to break his steaming run to control the ball? Mourinho will know that with a little aid, Pogba can replicate his tournament form for Manchester United. The whole world, therefore, will be looking forward to see whether Mourinho unshackles Pogba and lets the Frenchman dictate the course of the United team next season.