Four Manchester United players who need to step up after the international break

#2 Fred

Fred.

Fred was one of the few players who were responsible for United's defeat in their last game against Newcastle United. Being assigned the role of the defensive midfielder, Fred was dispossessed quite easily by his opponents, failed to stop the counter-attacks of Newcastle, and hence left the back four quite vulnerable.

Having been bought from Shakhtar Donetsk last season for a reported fee of £52m, Fred has failed to justify his price tag so far. Yet, there is enough time for him to prove his critics wrong by stepping up for the club after the international break.

#1 Ashley Young

Ashley Young.

Ashley Young has been having a below-average time on the pitch for Manchester United so far. Due to advancing age and injury problems, Young has become slower than before and hence is not able to complete his defensive duties as efficiently as he used to do a few seasons before. On the attacking front too, Young has failed to make enough over-lapping runs on the left-wing, preventing him from delivering quality crosses inside the opposition's box. Further, several of his set-pieces have been too close to the goal-keeper for them to come of any use.

Due to the injury to Luke Shaw, the coaching staff has no option but to play Young in his place. Hence, Young has still got a chance to prove to the pundits that experience still counts in this game.

Luke Shaw is out with an injury.