Hope you’re having a good Sunday. I, for one, am not. The whole international break thing is crap. Especially after just three weeks since the season started. It’s like getting on to the freeway after spending an hour negotiating a traffic jam only to suddenly come upon another serpentine queue of stationary cars, honking furiously at those in front. Go figure, if you find the analogy a little off.

Anyway, international breaks, like those periodic dentist check-ups, are necessary evils. These are times when you would want to keep your fingers (arms and legs) crossed, fervently hoping that your players avoid anything untoward.

Now that the first set of international games are over, let’s all heave a sigh of relief.

I don’t want to completely discount the importance of Internationals in the context of our season. (As discussed here) So let’s round-up our players involved in the matches played yesterday.

Patrice Evra was an unused substitute as France drew with Italy.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a great goal [video of goal] as Portugal drew with Poland. It’s worth noting that Ronaldo has scored a second consecutive goal for Portugal now. His goal scoring form is encouraging and the goal against Poland was pretty good as it showed more of his instincts and eye for goal that would have made SAF happier. We need the directness of Ronaldo if we are to break Everton down. So let’s hope he gets through Portugal’s next game in one piece. Nani was an unused substitute.

The Scottish Player was captain as Scotland beat Lithuania 3-1

Jonny Evans played as Northern Ireland lost to Latvia, courtesy an own goal.

JOS played for Ireland as they drew with Slovakia.

And finally on to the big one. England (surprise, surprise!) convincingly beat a rather poor Israel. McClown would hope to hold on to his job just that much longer, while simultaneously engineering his demise by contemplating bringing back Lampard for the Russia game. With Micah Richards it looks like England finally have a right back for the long term. Hopefully someone should convince Macca to pick him ahead of Neville, always, so that it would extend our captain’s United career. Although, Nev wouldn’t easily give up his place. Thankfully no risk with Hargreaves was taken. So all well then.

Rio Ferdinand had a good game, but then even SWP played well and Owen scored a peach. So things seem all happy for England.

For us, well… we are just happy our players are fit for the moment.

So it’s back to me crossing my fingers.

Related items from Red Rants:

• Wigan 0-2 Man Utd: CHAMPIONEEES!
• Preparing to beat Reading
• Vote for Player of the Month – Febuary 2012
• Anyone With Knowledge of Spanish, Kindly Translate
• Roy Keane sings a song for Ronaldo

Tags: Manchester United News · Manchester United Players