Nani eyes revenge

MANUTD-Last week it was the Manchester derby… this week, some of United’s players will experience geographical rivalries on the international stage.
Nani is set to face Spain in an all-Iberian friendly as Portugal get an opportunity to avenge their World Cup exit at the hands of the eventual champions.

Meanwhile at Wembley, England are taking on France, who should be far from travel-weary after a short flight across the Channel. Chris Smalling will be hoping to feature at some point alongside Rio Ferdinand while a former United centre-half looks on from the French bench – Les Blues’ recently-appointed boss is Laurent Blanc.

“England will be very motivated...” said Blanc, before getting in a not-so-subtle dig … “especially since our comprehensive 2-0 win in 1999."

Journey time back to Manchester shouldn’t be an issue for Darron Gibson and John O’Shea, with the Republic of Ireland hosting Norway in a friendly, or for Jonny Evans as Northern Ireland face Morocco at home. Darren Fletcher will return to Carrington from Sir Alex Ferguson's former fortress of Pittodrie, Aberdeen - venue for Scotland's friendly with the Faroe Islands.

United’s scorers at Aston Villa are away with their countries - Nemanja Vidic is no doubt relieved that Reds team-mate Dimitar Berbatov has retired from international football as Serbia visit Bulgaria, while Kiko Macheda is in Italy’s Under-21 squad for a friendly against Turkey, the first game under new coach  Ciro Ferrara.

Macheda said: “This is a positive moment for me. I am playing well with Manchester United and I would like to also show my qualities with Italy’s Under-21s. I am one of the veterans at this level. I will help the new players feel at ease, I already know many of them and we have to do everything we can to become a tight-knit team.”

Gabriel Obertan completes the line-up of travelling first-teamers – the United winger is with France’s Under-21s. Also called up at that level is reserve-team midfielder Magnus Eikrem (Norway) while Ravel Morrison and Tom Thorpe are in the England Under-18 squad. Finally, Michele Fornasier – a recent scorer for United Reserves – is involved with Italy’s Under-17s.