First Team

SIX TERRORS SET TO FEATURE ON INTERNATIONAL STAGE THIS MONTH

18th March 2023

With the international break fast approaching, United players have been in high demand for various international sides across different continents.

Aziz Behich

A veteran on the world's stage, Behich has once again been selected by Graham Arnold to represent Australia after a rich vein of form in Qatar.

Behich and the Socceroos enjoyed an unforgettable journey through the trials and tribulations of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, scoring last-minute winners, defying the odds and jousting with giants. 

Australia eventually succumbed to winners Argentina in the Last 16, but not before our number 16 embroiled himself in a heated scuffle with none other than Lionel Messi.

The 32-year-old is set to add to his 57 caps as a friendly double-header against Ecuador looms later this month.

Ilmari Niskanen

The flying Finn represented his country throughout multiple youth levels, before making his senior debut against Wales in 2020, where he clashed with future teammate Dylan Levitt in Helsinki.

Niskanen, 25, opened his Huuhkajat account against Poland with a curling stunner just five weeks after cutting his teeth at the top level for the first time.

Now accepting his seventh call-up as a United player, 'Immi' and his teammates begin their UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with clashes against Scandinavian rivals Denmark and Northern Ireland respectively.

Finland are also in the mix with Kazakhstan, San Marino and Slovenia in Group H.

You can watch our number seven in action live on Viaplay Sports, with the matches taking place on the 23rd and 27th of March.

Jamie McGrath

After a short stint outwith the squad, McGrath has forced his way back into the Ireland set-up through his impressive form at club level.

On his return to Stephen Kenny's side for a smattering of friendlies in November, the 26-year-old scooped the Man of the Match award in a 1-0 win over Malta. 

Since his loan switch north of the border from Wigan Athletic, McGrath has chipped in with a respectable four goals and three assists in tangerine this season.

Ireland contest a friendly with Latvia in Dublin before facing 2018 World Cup victors France as the Athboy-born midfielder looks to add to his seven caps and aid his country's charge towards UEFA Euro 2024.

Both of Jamie's matches will be shown live on Viaplay Sports, unfolding on the 22nd and 27th of March respectively.

Sadat Anaku

After having to leave the camp early due to a visa issue during his last spell on international duty, Ugandan livewire Sadat Anaku is hoping the moment he makes his debut for the Cranes is just around the corner.

The 22-year-old has become a more regular feature in United's matchday squads of late, with his biggest contribution coming against Aberdeen earlier this month when he was scythed down in the area during a promising cameo - resulting in a spot-kick which Jamie McGrath duly converted.

His performance against the Dons saw him rewarded with a place in the XI just four days later versus Livingston.

Sadat is the only British-based player to be included in Uganda's provisional squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, as Milutin Sredojevic's men prepare to contest a double-header with Tanzania in Group F.

Jack Newman

Despite being born and raised in the north-east of England, Newman is eligible to represent Scotland through his Glasgow-native grandfather.

Newman, 21, was given the nod to make his full debut for United in Dingwall at the tail end of last month after an injury to fellow 'keeper Mark Birighitti. 

The shot-stopper has turned out for Scotland at various youth levels, however this will be his first involvement for the U21s after being selected for friendlies against Sweden and Wales.

Players from Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Hellas Verona and Liverpool join Newman in Scott Gemmill's squad.

Held at the Pinatar Arena in southern Spain, the matches serve as warm-ups for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers in September. 

The games will be streamed live on the Scotland National Team's Twitter.

Rory MacLeod

Finally, United starlet MacLeod has received yet another call-up to the Scotland U17s, with the Dundee-born talisman closing in on ten caps at that age group.

At just 17 years of age, he has made the step up from the Young Terrors with distinction and is now a full-time member of the first team.

MacLeod has featured ten times for United this season, including being introduced from the bench against both Glasgow sides and starting alongisde Steven Fletcher against Stirling University in the Scottish Cup. 

Having made it to the UEFA Euro Elite Round for the second year running, Brian McLaughlin's Under-17s are set to take on Wales, Montenegro and Iceland in Newport.