Nine former Manchester United players set to feature at the FIFA Club World Cup

The Club World Cup begins on Saturday, and while Manchester United are not involved, nine former players are set to feature.

Starting in the early hours of Sunday morning, UK time, the Club World Cup has arrived, and it promises to be a blockbuster for those involved.

Manchester United will not be at the tournament, which Lionel Messi and recently knighted Sir David Beckham’s Inter Miami kick off in the USA this weekend, which is no great shock considering the position the club is currently in.

One huge exclusion from the tournament is Cristiano Ronaldo, who failed to find a club, despite Alex Telles suggesting Botafogo was an option.

There are however, nine players formerly of United who are set to take part in the tournament.

Here is all nine.

Photo by DANIEL RAMALHO/AFP via Getty Images

Alex Telles – Botafogo

In Brazil, former United left-back Telles is set to feature for Botafogo, where he joined from Al Nassr last year. He is playing a key role in the 2024 Copa Libertadores winners and will be important for any success they have over the next month.

Telles played 50 times for United and provided eight assists and one goal in this time. His one goal was a memorable one, as he scored a brilliant volley against Villarreal in the Champions League group stage.

Edinson Cavani – Boca Juniors

Another player from the days of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to be featuring in the Club World Cup will be Edinson Cavani, who has been named in the Boca Juniors squad for the tournament.

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Cavani played 59 times for United, scoring 19 and assisting seven while also handing supporters some memorable moments, which sees him remembered fondly amongst the fanbase.

Cavani is Boca’s dangerman and has a big role to play if they are to be successful.

Marcos Rojo – Boca Juniors

Another Boca player involved will be Marcos Rojo, who played 122 times for United.

Rojo has been at Boca since he left United and has made 118 appearances in this time. With his seniority and experience, Rojo is the Boca champion and, therefore, will be tasked with guiding his team to a successful tournament.

Ander Herrera – Boca Juniors

A third Boca player who was formerly of United is Ander Herrera, with the midfielder still as quality as ever down in Argentina.

Herrera only joined Boca in January, yet is a hit with the fans as his passion often shines through, as we all remember from his time at United.

Another big player for the South Americans.

Sergio Romero – Boca Juniors

The final Boca player on the list is Sergio Romero, the once-excellent back-up who was always reliable and, in hindsight, deserved chances to challenge David de Gea.

He will be in goal for Boca in the USA, where he will hope to be a difference maker.

Matteo Darmian – Inter Milan

Over to Europe, and Inter Milan’s Matteo Darmian is a former United right back who will be involved for the Italian side just weeks after being thrashed in the Champions League final.

Despite being 35, Darmian is still a regular and key player for Inter, making 45 appearances last season in their almost double-winning campaign.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan – Inter Milan

Joining Darmian will be Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who is another player who has been like a fine wine for Inter, almost improving with age, as he played a lot of football last season.

A magician on the ball, Mkhitaryan will be vital in Inter’s quest for gold.

Alvaro Fernandez – Benfica

The biggest name right now to be involved is Benfica’s Alvaro Fernandez, with the Spanish full-back only leaving United last summer, yet has become a star.

Fernandez is expected to join Real Madrid this summer, but a deal wasn’t done in time, so he will represent Benfica here, which will only help his value.

Guillermo Varela – Flamengo

The final name involved for United is probably the least well-known in Uruguayan Guillermo Varela, who many will remember from the 2015-16 season under Louis van Gaal when he made a handful of appearances at the same time Marcus Rashford debuted.

He was promptly sold and now plays with Flamengo, having turned into a fairly decent right back. Now he can prove himself on the new grandest stage.

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