World Cup 2018: Top 3 Manchester United players who could return as Champions

The World Cup is almost upon us, the greatest sporting tournament on the planet... and when that juggernaut comes rolling across once every four years everything takes a backseat.

With Russia 2018 less than a month away, we're taking a look at the potential game-changers, and World Cup winners, from each major club.

Shambhu Ajith's worked his magic on the Chelsea squad already... so here's my bit with the Manchester United lot.

United will have quite a lot of superstars strutting their stuff for their national team - Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard, Ashley Young, and Phil Jones for England... Marcos Rojo for Argentina...

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#3 Romelu Lukaku - Belgium

Romelu Lukaku has been in stunning form for Belgium

As per FIFA, Romelu Lukaku has 28 international goals, 2 behind the national record, but that's only because they disqualified a hattrick he smacked in against Luxembourg in 2014 because then-coach Marc Wilmots had made seven changes, instead of the permitted six.

But while this confusion of whether or not Lukaku has broken the national goalscoring record still reigns, what's beyond doubt is that the big man is Belgium's spearhead this World Cup... the pointy tip of a very potent spear made up of some of the best midfielders (attacking and central) in the game right now.

Roberto Martinez is a good cup manager - Hello, Wigan Athletic - and the underrated Spaniard is in prime position to drive the hitherto underperforming Red Devils to ultimate glory. In this quest, Lukaku will be of prime importance, and Manchester United will be hoping he has a good World Cup - and returns to England carrying that momentum in for the next season

#2 David De Gea - Spain

David De Gea

marshalling

his troops

David De Gea is the best goalkeeper in the world - let's please keep tribalism and perceptions aside and accept this for what it is. And he's keeping goal for one of the most impressive teams in Russia.

Julian Lopetegui has brought in a much-needed freshness into the Spanish national team set-up, without compromising on La Furia Roja's greatest quality... an excess of technical footballers. He's blended in youth with the last remnants of the undisputedly great old guard to bring out a collection that brings out the best out of every individual.

And he's never had to worry about the most underrated position on the football - the goalkeeper. De Gea has been just as good for his national team as his club side, and strikers across the tournament will be dreading having to come up against him come the tournament proper.

#1 Paul Pogba - France

Paul Pogba runs France's midfield

Forget the Instagram videos. Forget the flashy hairstyles. Forget the accessories. Forget the advertisements. Paul Labile Pogba is a helluva footballer, and it's most often on show when he dons the Bleu of France.

The most talented midfielder in an insanely skilful group of footballers, Pogba makes things tick and keeps the blue machine going forward with unrelenting intensity. Given the freedom of the park thanks to the presence of that Energiser Bunny, N'Golo Kante, alongside him, he usually dominates matches with much more consistency than he does for his club side.

An undoubted talent, this tournament could be the one where he comes of age - Manchester United, and Jose Mourinho, would certainly be looking forward to that.