Two Manchester United players dropped at international level

Joshua Zirkzee was dropped to the bench for the Netherlands' 1-0 Nations League defeat to Germany on Monday night.

Zirkzee started in the 1-1 draw with Hungary on Friday but made way for Ajax forward Brian Brobbey in Munich, where Jamie Leweling scored the only goal of the game. Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman indicated before the Hungary and Germany games that Zirkzee and Brobbery would each start a game.

Matthijs de Ligt, who started in both of the Netherlands' matches last month, was back on the bench against Hungary and Germany. He was an unused substitute at the Allianz Arena, his old stomping ground, and came on for nine minutes in the Puskas Arena last week.

Stefan de Vrij returned to the Netherlands squad this month and started ahead of De Ligt. Virgil van Dijk was sent off against Hungary and replaced by Micky van de Ven in the starting XI for the loss to Germany.

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De Ligt was dropped for United's goalless draw with Aston Villa earlier this month, though manager Erik ten Hag claimed all selection changes are "rotational".

Former Ajax, Juventus and Bayern Munich defender De Ligt has had a chastening start at United, starting in both of their 3-0 home defeats to Liverpool and Tottenham. De Ligt's positioning was also criticised by Jamie Carragher on Monday Night Football.

Zirkzee has scored one goal in 10 games for United and was replaced by Rasmus Hojlund in the draws with Porto and Villa two weeks ago. The 23-year-old has scored two goals in 14 appearances for club and country this term.

Elsewhere, Victor Lindelof was an unused substitute in Sweden's 3-0 win in Estonia. The 30-year-old made his first United appearance of the season at Villa Park.