Had Manchester United's showdown with Leeds United at Old Trafford this coming Sunday gone ahead as scheduled, the full-time whistle would have marked the beginning of the first international break of the season.
It would have also marked the beginning of the last international break before the 2022 FIFA World Cup kicks off on November 20. It will present international managers with their last opportunity to work with prospective members of their World Cup squads before finalising their selection choices for Qatar.
The decision for the World Cup to be staged slap-bang in the middle of the domestic season has done little to please fans at club level, as not only does it break the tradition of football's greatest show on earth taking place in June and July, but it also threatens to disrupt any momentum that is being enjoyed in the build-up to the start of the tournament. But for United duo Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford it could not have been staged at a better time.
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That is because the United stars were left out of Gareth Southgate's most recent England squad in June. They were overlooked when the former defender selected his squad for the four Nations League fixtures against Hungary (twice), Germany and Italy.
Harry Maguire was the only United representation in the Three Lions' last squad, with Luke Shaw, despite playing a key role in helping England reach the final of the European Championship less than 12 months earlier, also overlooked. The absences of Shaw, Sancho and Rashford prompted Southgate to sound a clear warning to United's England contingent.
"We've only got one [United player] with us [Maguire]," said Southgate, speaking in June. "They've got a lot to do to get back in the squad."
Had the World Cup been kicking-off in its usual slot in June, Shaw, Sancho and Rashford were all in great danger of being left behind and being restricted to watching their team-mates from the comfort of their sofas, as opposed to trying to write their names into the history books. But with the tournament taking place later than usual this time around they have each been given a lifeline, particularly Sancho and Rashford, such is the wide variation of attacking options Southgate has available to him.
Both Sancho and Rashford, albeit in different circumstances, experienced disappointing campaigns last season; they struggled to hit top gear and the latter scored just five goals in all competitions. He had serious work to do to not only resurrect his England career but also his United career.
Fast forward a few months and the outlook is far more positive and uplifting for the duo. Both of them, particularly Rashford, have found form in recent weeks, each playing key roles in the four successive Premier League wins United have recorded.
Sancho has scored two goals in that run while Rashford has scored three and grabbed two assists. They could not have found form at a better time, with Southgate set to announce his squad for the upcoming clashes with Italy and Germany later this week.
Southgate's selection for those two fixtures will almost certainly provide a clear indication of who he is planning to take to Qatar with him and who he is prepared to leave at home. In many ways, these two matches will mark the final dress rehearsals ahead of the main event.
If Sancho and Rashford do make the cut, they each deserve credit for finding the character and wisdom to fight back, but so does Ten Hag. It is his methods and strategy, particularly with his approach to his forward players, favouring a system that features a fluid front-three, that has enabled the duo to find their feet again.
Both have looked confident and energised in recent weeks, with their performances against Liverpool, Leicester City and Arsenal among their most polished in several months. Ten Hag has given them that confidence, resulting in them both recently singing the praises of the Dutchman.
If they both feature in Thursday's squad announcement, they owe a great deal of credit to Ten Hag for helping them force the door back open. On the flip side, however, Ten Hag will be able to consider it mission accomplished, as both players, when performing at the peak of their powers, can be critical to the way England want to play.
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