Christian Eriksen impressed but another Man Utd ace was biggest winner of international break as maligned star struggles for minutes

The international breaks keep breaking the rhythm of club football for the first three months and the second one in October was more of the same.

Manchester United went into it on the back of two draws which ensured Erik ten Hag’s United future remained under the scanner.

With that said, the break was still plenty fruitful for multiple players in the Man Utd squad as they either rediscovered some form or got much-needed rest.

Christian Eriksen stole the show for Denmark to continue his good run of form, while Diogo Dalot got a rare rest with Portugal.

Manuel Ugarte received crucial minutes for Uruguay although Man Utd will be sweating over Ugarte’e fitness status.

Amidst all this, however, the true winner of the break was someone else entirely and he needed it the most. At the other end of the spectrum, a Ten Hag signing continued to struggle for minutes.

Here is the biggest winner and loser of the international break.

Photo by Rafal Oleksiewicz/Getty Images

Winner- Bruno Fernandes

Christian Eriksen contributed more with goals and assists, other players played more minutes but from a purely confidence perspective, nobody needed this break more than Bruno Fernandes.

MORE UNITED STORIES

Having been sent off in back-to-back games for United just before the break, Fernandes’ confidence was at rock bottom.

He generally looks much better playing for Portugal, like many other United players, and he marked this break with an assist as well.

Fernandes had the fans raving about his display vs Poland, and it was followed by another good performance vs Scotland.

Surrounded by talent in a much more functional side, the Portuguese playmaker looked freed from having the weight of the world on his shoulders, which he often looks like having when playing for United.

In the last international break, Fernandes scored his first goal of the season but that didn’t translate to great club form.

The hope will be that the second time’s the charm because nobody’s below-par performances hurt United quite as much as Fernandes’.

Biggest loser- Matthijs de Ligt

Matthijs de Ligt hasn’t had the smoothest of rides since switching to Old Trafford in the summer. First, he was kept out of the side by Harry Maguire as he built up his match fitness.

Photo by Sebastian El-Saqqa – firo sportphoto/Getty Images

It was followed by De Ligt’s nightmare international break in September but he recovered from it to become a difference-maker for United.

However, bad run results had errors creeping in his game again, the nadir of which was reached in the chaotic 3-3 draw vs FC Porto which saw him “rested” against Aston Villa.

The Netherlands call-up wasn’t likely to feature him heavily anyway after his bad time last break but to not even come off the bench in a game for which Virgil van Dijk was suspended is a fall from grace.

De Ligt played just about ten minutes of football, that too vs Hungary immediately after Van Dijk’s red card as Ronald Koeman switched things up with ten men.

Micky van de Ven and Stefan de Vrij played the whole 90 vs Germany in the second game on the break as De Ligt’s fourth-choice status was firmly established.

He needs to make a comeback, starting by impressing for United when club action resumes.

Click here to read article