The group stage of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is at an end. 16 teams now remain in the tournament and 7 teams still have players representing Manchester United. Tunisia and Denmark were eliminated, but by no fault of Christian Eriksen or Hannibal. Denmark had a pretty poor world cup and were seen as a dark horse before the tournament by many. Christian Eriksen played well but the team lacked a proper finisher so goals were hard to come by, in fact Denmark only scored 1 goal in the entire tournament.
Meanwhile, Tunisia and Hannibal played their hearts out beating France on the final day to finish with 4 points. But, it wasn’t enough as both France and Australia finished on 6 points in the group.
Uruguay and Facundo Pellistri are also out in the group stage after failing to score one more goal in their victory over Ghana on the final day of group stage play. Pellistri started two of Uruguay’s three group stage matches, each on the right of a front 3. The young United lad looked excellent and his performances have many United fans calling for Eric ten Hag to give him a proper run in the side.
So, now, United’s representation at the World Cup is belongs with Portugal, England, France, Holland, Argentina, and Brazil. There is extremely likely United will have a few players in the final. Every team has a chance but Brazil, Argentina, France and Portugal seem the likely contenders.
Let’s break down the group stage a bit and get ready for the knockout rounds.
England top Group B
England finished top of Group B with 7 points after beating Wales in their final group stage match. Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire have been very important to England’s campaign so far. Maguire and Shaw have started every game at the back and helped England enjoy and good defensive record thus far.
Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford has been mainly used as a sub but stared the match against Wales. He finishes tied with Mbappe, Enner Valencia and Cody Gapko with 3 goals to lead the tournament so far. Rashford will likely start England’s next match and seems to have a real shot at winning the golden boot for the tournament. That would be excellent news for Eric ten Hag and United. An inform and happy Marcus Rashford for the latter half of the season could be just what United need to make the top 4 push.
Overall, England has had a very decent world cup so far. Some are upset by their performance in the draw with the US, but as American Red Devils we don’t give a fuck about that. Let’s hope Rashford, Shaw and Maguire continue to play and have a good finish to the tournament and come back to Manchester healthy.
Netherlands top Group A
Tyrell Malacia and the Netherlands finished with 7 points and topped their group but with no thanks to Malacia unfortunately. Malacia has yet to see a minute of action on the pitch at this tournament, which is very unfortunate when you consider Daily Blind is getting the starts at left back. Louis Van Gal seems to favor his old reliable in Daily Blind, so it seems the only way Malacia may see minutes this tournament would be by way of injury. But, crazier situations have happened. Perhaps, Van Gal will start him in the match against the USA to get more speed on the outside.
United summer target Frankie De Jong has played an important role so far for Holland, starting every match. The rumor mill still surrounds the Dutch midfielder but a move for the Barcelona man still seems unlikely. But Cody Gapko, another United target has looked absolutely sensational scoring 3 goals so far. The PSV forward has only increased his price tag, making United’s inability to sign him over the summer only more infuriating.
France top Group D
France finished top of their group with 6 points but did lose to Tunisia on the final day. In fairness to France they had made 9 changes to their side for the match with Tunisia but you still would expect the French side to win. Raphael Varane has started the last two matches of the group stage after making it back from his injury suffered with United. Varane looked good in the match with Denmark but was culpable for Tunisia’s lone goal in the final group stage match.
Varane is undoubtedly a starting centre back for the French the rest of the tournament but his form must improve. The United centre back will look to regain his form and help France win back to back World Cups.
Argentina Survive
After falling to Saudi Arabia in their first match of the tournament, Argentina win two straight to top their group. Unfortunately, Lisandro Martinez only got to start the match with Mexico as the Argentina manager seems to favor a rotation of Romero and Martinez alongside Otamendi. Martinez has made it on the pitch in each match though and has looked superior to Romero and Otamendi.
There is a tendency for national team managers to rely on older players they trust on the biggest stage even if they aren’t the most inform player at the position. As the tournament carries on though, Argentina will need to rely more on Lisandro Martinez at the back. The only thing United fans should really be concerned about though is that Martinez finishes the tournament healthy. Martinez is United’s most important player thus far this season and has improved the United backline immensely.
Portugal are in Top Form
Portugal have had some shaky moments in their matches but they also look like one of the most frightening attacking teams in the tournament. Bruno Fernandes in particular looks to be in absolute flying form. The United midfielder has been Portugal’s most important player and has made all the Ronaldo news and controversy fade into the background. He was vital to Portugal’s win over Ghana and scored both goals in the victory over Uruguay.
Bruno put in an amazing cross for Ronaldo that flew right into the back of the net as Ronaldo seemed almost a decoy to the goalkeeper. Then Bruno finely finished off a penalty to put the match to rest. Bruno Fernandes has been not just Portugal’s best player but maybe even the best overall player at the tournament so far. Fernandes has maintained his form with United and carried it into this World cup, let’s just hope he can keep it.
Lastly, Diogo Dalot has yet to feature, but he faces fierce competition in the squad. Joao Cancelo, Nuno Mendes and Raphael Gurrero are tough wingers to compete with.
Brazil look the Favorites
Casemiro and Brazil have just continued to impress at this tournament, despite an injury to Neymar on matchday 1. Casemiro, much like Fernandes, has been Brazil’s most important player. The tenacious defensive midfielder has kept Brazils midfield locked down and in control. But, Casemiro has also answered the call for his team when they’ve needed it.
Casemiro had the vital assist on matchday 1 for Brazil and scored a sensational match winner against Switzerland to ensure qualification for the knockout stage. The goal he scored against Switzerland came at a pivotal point in the match and required tremendous skill to pull off. Needless to say, Casemiro is in fine form and United’s midfielders at this world cup have impressed so far.
Fred has also played well for his country and started the match with Switzerland after only appearing as a sub in Brazils 2-0 win over Serbia.
On to the Round of 16
Next up will be the knockout stage for the remaining 16 teams. By the time this article is released we will already know some of the teams moving on to the quarter finals. But, the purpose of these articles is to analyze and catch everyone up on how each United player is performing.
The favorites to move on in the tournament could include everyone of the nations with a United player. In fact it is quite likely the final consists of two sides with United players playing a pivotal role. This is a Manchester United Muppet speaking, but perhaps the United players have been the most impressive at this World Cup overall.
For example, should Portugal continue their fine form, there is no reason Bruno Fernandes shouldn’t be regarded as the best player at this tournament. Of course, the likes of Mbappe will get the limelight for the goals he’s scored but Fernandes has been the best all around player. Let’s hope all these United players, including Fernandes, can keep this good run of form up and bring it back to United for the latter half of the season.
Group Stage Ratings
Bruno Fernandes– Bruno has been the best player of the tournament for many. From tenacious midfield play, to providing assists and even scoring goals he’s done it all. He could win player of the tournament should Portugal make the final. 10
Casemiro– The Brasilein midfielder is another contender for player of the tournament. He’s locked down the midfield for Brazil perfectly and even scored a sensational goal to give Brazil the win over Switzerland. He’s a leader for both club and country. 9
Raphael Varane– France and Varane are flying at this World Cup. The big French defender has looked great after returning from his knee injury. He’ll be vital to weather or not France make a good run at a World Cup repeat. 7
Lisandro Martinez– The Butcher looked great when he got the start in Argentina’s second match but the boss has seemed to prefer Otamendi and Romero at the back. This has to be just some sort of bias in the Argentina camp because Martinez has looked better than both Otamendi and Romero when playing. 7
Marcus Rashford – Rashford is a complicated one to grade. The United star has been impeccable when he’s played and has scored 3 goals already but Southgate has refused to start him consistently. Let’s hope he gets the starts moving forward, but either way he is in fine form. 7
Luke Shaw– Luke Shaw has played every match for England and played a vital role in their performances so far. Shaw has done what he’s needed to do, noting more and nothing less. 7
The Lesser
Diogo Dalot– Dalot has played in only one match, the loss to South Korea. Given Portugal had already locked up the top spot in the group not much could be expected but Dalot hasn’t done anything to impress. 5
Harry Maguire– Maguire always performs well for England, he just never brings any of it back to United. Perhaps its the quality around him or maybe the pace of the international game is slow enough for him. He deserves credit for his performances thus far but his past can’t be ignored. 6
Antony– Antony got the start in Brazils final group stage match and came on as a sub in the others. He’s looked quick and dangerous but has provided 0 final product. The player is clearly talented but still very young. 5
Fred– After not starting the first match for Brazil, Fred has started the last two. He’s looked excellent alongside Casemiro but no real highlights to write home about. Fred on his day can be an exceptional player, we can only hope he finds more consistency. 6
Tyrell Malacia– Unfortunately Tyrell Malacia has yet to see the field for Holland. This was expected though as Holland have a pretty set starting 11 and Malacia is yet so young. NA
Those no longer taking part
Christian Eriksen– The Dane played every match for his country and did little to warrant a poor rating but also did little to deserve a good rating. 6
Facundo Pellistri– The young winger has looked dangerous and surprisingly in great form despite a lack of game time with United. Pellistri may go out on loan again, but ten Hag should seriously consider giving the young man a run of games. 7
Alex Telles– Currently on loan in La Liga with Sevilla, the Brazil left back has left a lot to be desired for both club and country. He hasn’t necessarily looked bad but not great either. Telles is also injured now, so we won’t be seeing anymore of him at this tournament. 5
Hannibal– Eric ten Hag may bring Hannibal back from his loan spell with Birmingham for the second half of the season. Hannibal played a moderate amount for Tunisia and looked like he belonged on the big stage.
Next up, we’ll recap the Round of 16 and hand out some more rankings.
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