If Argentina wins the World Cup, HARRY MAGUIRE might receive a lifeline from Manchester United.
If Argentina beat France to win the title for the third time, Lionel Scaloni and his team are anticipated to return to Buenos Aires for a ticker-tape procession through the city on Tuesday.
But if that happened, United’s Lisandro Martinez and four other team members would almost likely be ineligible when the Premier League resumed on Boxing Day.
The South American’s absence would thus allow Maguire, who is now back at Old Trafford after his efforts in the desert, to be selected in the starting lineup for the match against Nottingham Forest on December 27.
Should Argentina triumph, Erik ten Hag of United, Antonio Conte of Spurs, Unai Emery of Aston Villa, Pep Guardiola of City, and Roberto De Zerbi of Brighton will likely be missing crucial players.
Conte and Spurs supporters would be disappointed if Cristian Romero wasn’t available for their Boxing Day lunchtime trip to Brentford. Romero missed the last five games prior to the World Cup but returned from his injury to play in all six games so far in Qatar.
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Alexis MacAllister would be unavailable for Brighton’s match against Southampton that afternoon, and Emery could have to start Robin Olsen in goal for the match against Liverpool that night since Emi Martinez wouldn’t be available.
Since City won’t play their first holiday match until they travel to Leeds on December 28, Guardiola would have an extra 48 hours to have Julian Alvarez back and prepared.
In comparison, a parade in Paris may result in all the French players returning to their clubs and England by Wednesday, even if it would also include Hugo Lloris, Raphael Varane, Ibrahima Konate, Alphonse Areola, and William Saliba.
Ironically, Varane’s celebrations may also assist Maguire get back into the starting lineup for the Red Devils.
Top Prem bosses were aware before the competition that they might be lacking important players.
Graham Potter, the manager of Chelsea, remarked last month: “I don’t know what another person’s motivation will be following a World Cup.
Most winners party on open-top buses, and they subsequently require a three-week vacation to recover from their joy.
We need them back, I could say out of self-interest.
But it will be challenging for them to return here if they don’t go and rejoice. They must emotionally heal.
And it will take more than three or four days to recover if you lost the World Cup final.