Reds around the world

Ji-sung Park was the first United star to taste international action this weekend, as South Korea cruised to a 3-1 win over Australia in Seoul on Saturday.

Park, who captained his side, set up the hosts’ final goal, crossing for Seol Ki-Hyeon to head past his Fulham team-mate, Mark Schwarzer. It was a good day for Reds, with Luis Valencia the only United player to suffer defeat: Ecuador lost 2-0 against Colombia in Medellin. Earlier, on Saturday evening, Darren Fletcher played 90 minutes for Scotland as George Burley’s men beat Macedonia 2-0 at Hampden Park to keep their World Cup hopes alive. At Wembley, Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick were both involved against Slovenia, with England doing just enough to win the friendly encounter 2-1. Rooney won England’s controversial penalty (controversial only because nobody in the ground was even looking for a foul), which Frank Lampard duly converted, while Michael Carrick was solid after coming on in midfield at half-time. Dimitar Berbatov was on target from the penalty spot in Bulgaria’s come-from-behind 4-1 win over Montenegro in Group 8. Berbatov bagged the third from 12 yards to help the Bulgarian side to a much-needed three points.

Elsewhere in the same group, John O’Shea lined up at right-back against Cyprus in the Republic of Ireland’s crunch clash while Darron Gibson was an unused substitute. Giovanni Trappatoni’s men clinched a 2-1 victory via a late Robbie Keane header. The three points means the side remain in second place, behind Italy.

In Copenhagen, Nani was an unused substitute for Portugal as Carlos Quieroz’s men scored a late goal to salvage a 1-1 draw against Denmark.

Jonny Evans was also in action on Saturday night. The youngster played at the heart of Northern Ireland's defence in their 1-1 away draw against Poland. The Poles threw everything at the visitors but Evans and his fellow defenders stood firm to earn a valuable point in Group 3.

In Paris, Patrice Evra played 90 minutes for France in Les Bleus’ 1-1 with Romania. Evra could now face United team-mates Nemanja Vidic and Zoran Tosic on Wednesday in Serbia.

Ritchie De Laet was called up to the Belgium squad for their game against Spain but there was no room in Frank Vercauteren’s 17-man matchday squad for the young defender.

Meanwhile, in U21 action on Friday night, Federico Macheda came on for the final minutes of Italy’s 2-1 loss to Wales, while Tom Cleverley made his England U21 debut as a late substitute in a 2-1 victory in Macedonia.