United View With Ben McCarthy: Varane To Feature in World Cup Final

Manchester United played two friendly games recently, both against Spanish opposition and both ending in defeat.

A 4-2 loss against Cadiz with goals from Anthony Martial and Kobbie Mainoo, before a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Real Betis. It's probably best not to read too much into this as for obvious reasons the bulk of United’s players were unavailable. 

Here’s a further update on how Manchester United’s players who are still competing at the World Cup are getting on. 

Group A – Netherlands (Tyrell Malacia)

Unfortunately, Malacia hasn’t played a single minute at the World Cup, nor will he get the chance after the Dutch crashed out of the competition to Argentina. His only real involvement in the game against Argentina came after Leandro Paredes smashed the ball the Holland’s bench causing all the substitutes to charge after the midfielder. Even though he didn’t play in this tournament as a young prospect I’m sure he’ll get his chance in future competitions.

Group B – England (Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Marcus Rashford)

More heartbreak for England as they lost to France in the Quarter Final in dramatic style. Maguire and Shaw played another 90 minutes for the Three Lions and for the most part, were solid. The only criticism you could argue was that Olivier Giroud was allowed space to score the decisive goal but at this level, it's fine margins. Rashford came on with only minutes remaining, an odd choice considering how good he's been at this World Cup. He was also inches away from scoring a free kick late into added time, again at this level its fine margins. 

Group C – Argentina (Lisandro Martinez)

It’s now confirmed that Manchester United will have at least one player featuring in the World Cup final. Argentina beat Holland on penalties in the Quarter Final, before dispatching Croatia in the Semis to reach their first final since 2014. Martinez has been in and out of the side all tournament so it's up in the air whether he will actually start the game or not.

Group D – France (Raphael Varane) 

Varane started in the game against England, in truth he didn’t massively stand out, but he did his job and helped France win 2-1 against a threatening England side. Now he and his French teammates must square off against Morocco, the true dark horse of this whole tournament. At the time of writing this, the game hasn’t been played, but could France be another to fall at the hands of the Atlas Lions?

Group H – Portugal (Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes)

Portugal was beaten 1-0 by Morocco in the Quarter Final, with the North African side putting up a stellar performance to keep a Portugal side at bay who had just put six past Switzerland. Dalot and Fernandes both started the game, with Bruno inches away from scoring the potential goal of the tournament that rattled off the bar.

Group G – Brazil (Antony, Casemiro and Fred)

Another shock defeat, this time for the favourites of the tournament. Brazil was beaten on penalties by Croatia who scored late in extra-time with their only shot on target. Casemiro started the match, while Fred and Antony were brought on later in the game. They’ll have to wait another four years to try and claim a sixth World Cup.