It will be interesting to see what the mood will be like at Manchester United when the majority of their senior stars return next week.
Nine players were knocked out of the World Cup at the quarter-final stage and are now enjoying seven days of downtime before they are expected back in training. Only two United players remain involved in the competition and will do so until this weekend.
Erik ten Hag's first job will be to lift the spirits of those who regret missed opportunities and who will be frustrated at how their national team commitments ended this winter. The prospect of a Carabao Cup tie against Burnley is hardly the captivating spectacle for them to rush back for, never mind for them to return to with a point to prove.
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Another interesting dynamic will be that of the dressing room spirit. A makeshift side looked to be in a pretty good mood when they made the trip to Spain last week; they might need to be careful when they broach the subject of the World Cup with those who are returning.
Then, of course, there is the man who won't be returning: Cristiano Ronaldo. The last time United played competitively, he was still a United player, and the bombshell interview with Piers Morgan hadn't even been teased.
Ten Hag insists the matter is now dead and the club has moved on, but there will inevitably be mentions of his name when the dressing room reunites without him.
It won't be much of a problem replacing what he offered on the pitch this season, though there is certainly a gap in the squad hierarchy now that their most influential leader has gone.
Harry Maguire remains at the top as the club captain, and Bruno Fernandes has been the vice captain all season long. They will both return having shone for their respective nations at the World Cup, and remain two of the most influential players.
The same can be said of Raphael Varane who could return to Carrington with another World Cup winner's medal around his neck. The French international has led by example since he signed for the club and is highly respected by his teammates for what he has achieved in the game.
A key component of Varane's status is that he is a serial winner, just like summer signing Casemiro. The Brazilian is not the most vocal member of the United squad, but he once again leads by example through his actions. He impressed at the World Cup, and even in a crushing quarter-final exit to Croatia, he showed class in the manner in which he congratulated his counterparts on their success.
Christian Eriksen has also added priceless experience to the Old Trafford dressing room since arriving and has continued to grow in stature at United having already exceeded most expectations in his role this season.
United's leadership group is completed by two players who have been at the club for a long time. David de Gea is a veteran in goal who is respected by his peers, while Victor Lindelof is the captain of Sweden and is now approaching his sixth year at the club.
With the team set to reconvene at Carrington next week ahead of the resumption of the season, Ten Hag is going to need all the help he can get from his most experienced players to focus on the immediate challenge ahead and regain momentum.
There will be a different atmosphere following Ronaldo's high-profile exit, but in his place, there is now an opportunity for somebody else to step up and embrace the responsibilities of being a leader.
Six leaders might soon become seven.
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