According to reports Sir Alex Ferguson turned down the chance to sign the World Cup leading scorer Rodriguez, 22, when the then United manager decided the £5million teenager wasn’t for Old Trafford.

Smalling’s comments came after Roy Hodgson presented him with the rare opportunity of playing in his favoured position in England’s final group game with Costa Rica.

David Platt, who as assistant manager has helped guide Manchester City to their first ever Premier League title and a second in three years last month, scored the winning goal in England’s 1-0 win over Belgium at Italia ’90.

The 26-year-old, nicknamed ‘Little Pea’ and who was officially the fastest player at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, scored his country’s final goal in a 3-1 defeat of Croatia to secure a place in the last 16.

Midfielder Herrera, part of Spain’s London 2012 Olympics squad, would become only United’s second midfield signing in seven years after Belgian Marouane Fellaini became the first in six last summer.

Robin van Persie’s diving header against now deposed champions Spain set the Netherlands on their way to a 5-1 mass destruction of their 2010 final opponents and also earns a place in MM’s top five United goals at the World Cup.

Hart and England have been dumped out of the World Cup after losing their first two group matches against Italy and Uruguay.

The National Football Museum is giving fans the chance to become curators and exhibit their own World Cup memorabilia

Danny Welbeck has scored eight goals in 24 international appearances but ex-Manchester United team-mate Rio Ferdinand believes that record should be even better as England prepare for Uruguay showdown.

Ex-Manchester United player Phil Neville received a huge volume of abuse on Twitter after his co-commentator efforts in England’s opening World Cup match – some of it finding its way to a radiator salesman who shares his name.

Following the Netherlands’ destruction of holders Spain, orchestrated by new United boss Louis van Gaal, it would be a wasted opportunity to not discuss the smoke issuing from the Old Trafford rumour mill.