Manchester United’s Premier League season has entered a three-week pause after the club’s first five matches of the 2026/27 campaign, with several players now away representing their countries.

This season’s September and October international breaks have been merged into one extended window, creating a longer interruption to the domestic schedule. United are not due back in Premier League action until October 10, when Tottenham Hotspur travel to Old Trafford. During the extended international period, national teams will play four fixtures rather than the usual two.

Michael Carrick’s side have made an uneven start to the campaign, but several members of his squad remain busy on international duty.

United originally saw 15 first-team players selected by their respective countries. However, four have since withdrawn, with Karl Darlow, Kobbie Mainoo, Marcus Rashford and Benjamin Šeško all pulling out of their squads. That leaves 11 United players still involved with their national teams.

Manchester United's captain Bruno Fernandes went into the international break not fully fit and was rested for Portugal's second match against Norway.

However, in the reverse fixture, the 32-year-old, now named the country's captain after Cristiano Ronaldo's controversial exit from the camp, helped his nation secure a 2-1 victory over Norway in the Nations League.

With Jorge Jesus not deploying a traditional No.10 in his 4-1-3-2 setup, the midfielder took on an unfamiliar role as a left attacking midfielder but still had a big influence on the game.

Out on the left wing, Fernandes always looked to drift centrally onto his preferred right foot and linked up well with Vitinha in midfield. He didn't shirk his defensive duties either, and the captain's defensive work rate helped Nuno Mendes, who always looks to contribute in attack.

Fernandes also played more as a left winger in Portugal's first game of the break against Wales, suggesting Jorge Jesus sees a future for Fernandes on the left, which could also unlock a new tactical setup for Michael Carrick at Manchester United.

This season, Matheus Cunha has frequently featured as a striker because of Benjamin Šeško's injury problems going into the season, with Marcus Rashford deployed on the left wing.

Last season, the Brazilian was excellent drifting in from the left into a more central role, scoring 10 goals and providing four assists. If Fernandes can replicate what Cunha did from the left last season, the pair could form a fluid, dynamic duo for Michael Carrick to experiment with.

Despite performing well for Barcelona last season, Rashford has struggled this season, failing to register a goal or assist despite showing glimpses of quality early on in the season.