Manchester United had a number of internationals in action on Saturday, and Joshua Zirkzee netted his first-ever goal for the Netherlands’ senior side.

It was the 23-year-old’s first start for Ronald Koeman’s side and just his third appearance but, much like the beginning of his United career, it didn’t take long for Zirkzee to make his mark.

In the 13th minute, Xavi Simons took on a shot that was sent looping above the Bosnia and Herzegovina defence and our summer signing, with his back to goal, creatively caught the goalkeeper unaware by knocking a reverse header into the back of the net to give the Oranje the lead.

That wasn’t the end of his contributions, however, as Joshua set up the Netherlands’ second to re-establish their lead, after a Bosnian equaliser. Dropping deep, Zirkzee got the move going when he found Tijjani Reijnders in the middle of the park, who topped off an impressive central run with a finish.

Reds enjoy productive evening

Joining our no.11 for the fun was fellow countryman and United summer arrival Matthijs de Ligt. The defender played the full 90 minutes alongside Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk for this encounter.

Former Red Wout Weghorst also got on the scoresheet, as did Cody Gakpo and Simons.

The match, at the Philips Stadoion in Eindhoven, finished 5-2, with Ermedin Demirovic and former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko among the goals for the opposition.

Elsewhere in Europe, there were Reds in action across the Irish Sea at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Both Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire were in from the start for new interim England boss Lee Carsley’s first line-up. It was Maguire’s return to the international stage after unfortunately missing out on Euro 2024 action through injury, and he managed to keep the Republic of Ireland quiet alongside Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi in defence, before being replaced by John Stones in the 85th minute.

Mainoo’s night was marginally shorter in midfield, when he made way in the 77th minute for another United Academy graduate in Angel Gomes. The midfielder — who now plies his trade for Ligue 1 outfit Lille — was making his Three Lions debut.

Goals from Declan Rice and Jack Grealish handed Carsley a debut win and all three points in Dublin.

Kopa Trophy nominations for young Reds duo

The only member of Erik ten Hag’s side to feature outside of Europe on Saturday evening was goalkeeper Andre Onana.

He linked up with his Cameroon side for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Namibia, where he kept a clean sheet.

It was a slender win in the end; the Indomitable Lions’ forward Vincent Aboubakar scored the only goal of the match to put Cameroon top of Group J.

Transfers you may have missed this summer

It was a busy summer window for Manchester United, with five first-team players arriving at Old Trafford and several names departing the club.

But what of the familiar faces from days gone by who sealed moves over the summer?

Here are 11 transfers involving former Reds which you may have missed…

David De Gea (Fiorentina)

Only six men have ever made more appearances for United, but David spent last season without a club following his departure in June 2023, training on his own to maintain fitness. Still only 33, the Spaniard has joined Fiorentina under new coach Raffaelle Palladino and has already had an impact, proving pivotal in the Viola’s penalty shootout victory over Puskas Akademia in the Conference League play-offs.

David has a new role at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

Radamel Falcao (Millonarios)

Falcao had never played top-flight football in his homeland when he sealed a move to boyhood team Millonarios in June. The 38-year-old, who had spent three seasons with Spain’s Rayo Vallecano, opened his account for the Bogota club at the weekend, during their 3-0 victory over Patriotas.

Adnan Januzaj (Las Palmas)

Januzaj’s adventures in Spain have continued, as he’s joined Las Palmas on loan from Sevilla. The former Real Sociedad man only featured sporadically for the Andalusians last term, but will be aiming to make an impact with the Canary Islanders, who have also signed Scotland pair Scott McKenna and Oliver McBurnie.

Romelu Lukaku (Napoli)

Lukaku has been on loan with Internazionale and Roma since 2022 but was still contracted to Chelsea until last month. He’s linked up with former Blues and Inter boss Antonio Conte again at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona – as well as Scott McTominay – and has already opened his account for the Neapolitans, scoring the equaliser in the dramatic injury-time turnaround against Parma on Saturday.

Juan Mata (Western Sydney Wanderers)

Juan’s world tour continues, as El Mago adds Australia to his CV, following spells at Galatasaray, in Turkey, and Vissel Kobe, in Japan. Wanderers are the only A-League club to have won the Asian Champions League, back in 2014.

“I’m feeling grateful and excited for this new adventure and looking forward to trying to win another championship in a different league,” Juan said.

I’m feeling, again, very thankful to football for the many experiences and joy that keeps bringing to my life… Today, a new adventure is starting, and I’m super excited about it! I will keep enjoying this amazing sport by playing not only in a different country… but in a

Nani (Estrela de Amadora)

Another former Red with a peripatetic recent career is Nani, with the winger taking in the United States, Italy, Turkey and Australia since leaving Sporting Club in 2019. He’s now back in Portugal, having agreed a deal at Estrela Amadora. It’s a real homecoming for the 37-year-old, who was born and raised in the Lisbon municipality.

Alexis Sanchez (Udinese)

The Chilean is the subject of another feelgood story, as he’s returned to the club where he first made his name in Europe, prior to his big-money transfer to Barcelona. Sanchez has played for Inter and Marseille since his United exit in 2019 and continues in Serie A at the age of 35.

Lukaku has already found the net for Napoli.

Chris Smalling (Al Fayha)

Chris has brought his five-year stint in the Italian capital to an end, thanking Rossoneri fans for ‘making Rome feel like home’. The central defender now embarks upon a new journey in Saudi Arabia with Al Fayha, a club based in the city of Al Majma’ah which won the King’s Cup in 2022.

Alex Telles (Botafogo)

Telles was also playing in Saudi Arabia, for Al-Hilal, but the full-back has now returned to his homeland where he will play for Botafogo. He will share a dressing room in Rio de Janiero with another familiar face, in Rafael da Silva, as Botafogo aim to maintain their lead at the top of Brazil’s Serie A and claim a first championship since 1995.

Falcao has returned to Colombia, at the age of 38.

Wout Weghorst (Ajax)

Weghorst’s time at Burnley has come to an end, as the tall forward has returned to the Netherlands by joining Ajax. Wout, who was involved for the Netherlands at Euro 2024, spent last season on loan with Hoffenheim.

Wilfried Zaha (Lyon)

Zaha left Crystal Palace in 2023 after 458 appearances, joining Galatasaray and scoring for the Turks at Old Trafford last season. After falling out of favour in Istanbul, he’s now set for a new adventure on loan at Lyon, who have the likes of Alexandre Lacazette, Dejan Lovren and former United midfielder Nemanja Matic in their squad.