Manchester United can gain transfer advantage from international football this season

International breaks are usually a time for managers to cross their fingers and hope their players return to club duty without injury, it is a case of getting through the break and going again with your squad still intact.

Erik ten Hag will have been doing plenty of that over the last nine days given the injury crisis that has already affected Manchester United this season and Lisandro Martinez’s presence with Argentina despite ongoing pain in his foot will be a particular concern.

Ten Hag has had plenty on his plate this week, given his public row with Jadon Sancho and the allegations swirling around Antony in Brazil that have resulted in the winger staying away from his club for the foreseeable future, so how much attention he has paid to another uninspiring round of qualifiers for a tournament that almost half of Europe qualifies for is debatable.

But international football isn’t without its uses for United, especially this season. It will act as a stage for two players in particular who could have left last summer and will be likely candidates to be sold in 2024.

ALSO READ: United targeting four key signings next summer

Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay might find their minutes for United are reduced further this season. The centre-back has dropped below Victor Lindelof in the pecking order for Ten Hag and McTominay now faces competition from Sofyan Amrabat and Kobbie Mainoo.

Keeping their values up and finding a platform to show interested clubs what they can offer isn’t easy in those circumstances, but international games will be a chance to remind potential suitors of their qualities.

In McTominay’s case, he is doing just that. Scotland’s stunning form in European Championship qualifying is one of the biggest