Ten Reds in international action - October 15th & 16th

Ten Manchester United players featured in the latest round of international matches, with a number helping their respective country confirm a place at the World Cup Finals, and others now nervously awaiting the play-offs.

Wayne Rooney was on target as England booked their place at World Cup 2014 with a 2-0 win over Poland in a pulsating contest at Wembley.

Steven Gerrard was also on target for the Three Lions, with Chris Smalling, Michael Carrick and Danny Welbeck all in action for Roy Hodgson’s side, who finish their World Cup qualification campaign unbeaten with six wins and four draws.

Rooney’s fellow United striker Javier Hernandez, however, did not enjoy similar success. Chicharito was in action for an hour as Mexico slipped to a 2-1 defeat in Costa Rica, meaning they face a play-off for a place in next summer’s World Cup.

Antonio Valencia will be expected to feature in the World Cup, as Ecuador confirmed their place in the Finals despite a 2-1 defeat against Chile. The United winger was yellow-carded. 

Elsewhere, Spain’s expected win over Georgia mean Patrice Evra and France must settle for a play-off place – but the United left-back and his countrymen will go into that nail-biting two-legged clash in good spirits following a 3-0 win over Finland.

Meanwhile, Nani captained Portugal and scored a fine goal in a comfortable 3-0 win over Luxembourg, but his country have to settle for the play-offs as Russia, who drew in Azerbaijan, ended up winners of Group F.

The Netherlands, meanwhile, finished off their tremendous World Cup qualification campaign with a 2-0 win over Turkey, in which Robin van Persie played the opening 45 minutes. Louis Van Gaal’s men have won nine and drawn one of their qualifiers, conceding only five goals in the process.

Shinji Kagawa’s Japan have already qualified for the World Cup – and the United midfielder featured as their preparations continued with a 1-0 international friendly defeat to Belarus.