In the midst of the World Cup furore, domestic football may be on the back-burner for most Manchester United fans with the resumption of the season still three weeks away.
But Erik ten Hag will be focusing on that December 21 return date, when the Reds take on Championship leaders Burnley in the League Cup. In the meantime, he is taking the squad members who have not travelled to Qatar to Spain for a short training camp next week.
During that time they will take on La Liga opposition in strugglers Cadiz and lofty Real Betis in friendlies as Ten Hag tries to build match fitness back up. United may see a number of first-team members waiting for them at Carrington upon their return as more countries are eliminated from the World Cup.
