The Blades had a quartet of players who represented their respective countries over the weekend, although only one player was in a winning team.

Gary Naysmith played a full game as Scotland's hopes took a nosedive as they lost 1-0 against Macedonia in the blazing heat in Skopje.

Meanwhile, Keith Gillespie, who hasn't played for United this season due to an ankle injury, got through 53 minutes in Northern Ireland's 2-1 defeat to Slovakia, before being replaced by Warren Fenney.

Recent signing Justin Haber featured in goal for Malta, a tall order for the little island against Portugal who predictably ran out easy winers by 4-0.

Meanwhile, David Carney completed 90 minutes and helped achieve the most satisfactory result, as goals from Harry Kewell and Joshua Kennedy saw Australia beat Holland 2-1 in Eindhoven.