Reds ready for internationals

This week’s international interlude is the signal, as ever, for a mass exodus from United’s Carrington training base as a large chunk of the Reds’ squad head off to join their national sides.

With England taking on Germany in the first full international at the new Wembley, Michael Carrick looks set to get a start alongside Frank Lampard in the heart of midfield.

And while injuries to Wayne Rooney and Owen Hargreaves have ruled them out of Wednesday’s friendly against England’s archrivals, Rio Ferdinand and Wes Brown will be on hand to ensure there’s a healthy Red presence among the Three Lions.

Alex McLeish can count on an almost full squad for Scotland’s friendly against South Africa on Wednesday, with Darren Fletcher set to captain his country on his 30th appearance. Meanwhile John O’Shea, who’ll be looking to get a 35th cap for the Republic of Ireland, against Denmark, will travel to Aarhus with team-mate Darron Gibson who’s been promoted to the Republic’s first-team squad from the Under-21s.

Jonny Evans was forced to pull out of Northern Ireland’s friendly against Liechtenstein on Wednesday with a groin injury, so misses the chance to add to his five caps, but Tomasz Kuszczak will be hoping to get the nod for Poland who face Russia in Moscow the same night.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s domestic ban doesn’t preclude him from turning out in Portugal’s Euro 2008 qualifier, but there was no place for Nani, United’s new signing remaining in the Under-21s. Nani was in action as the U21s beat Malta 3-0. The Reds winger didn't get on the scoresheet, but he did rattle the crossbar with a header just before half-time.

Nemanja Vidic is also playing for high stakes this week: the United defender is set to take his place in the Serbia side taking on Belgium in Brussels in another qualifier.

For the Netherlands’ friendly in Switzerland, Dutch coach Marco van Basten has included Edwin van der Sar in his squad; the United stopper will be reunited with former Red Ruud van Nistelrooy, recalled to the squad for the game at the Stade de Genève. Edwin's place in the team is in doubt, however, after suffering foot injury in training.

And while there was no place for either Mikael Silvestre or Louis Saha in the 34-man squad for France’s trip to Slovakia, Patrice Evra did get the call-up from coach Raymond Domenech.