{"id":37826,"date":"2026-07-01T04:57:23","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T04:57:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/01\/england-vs-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-is-a-battle-between-manchester-uniteds-misfits-and-the-team-that-got-away\/"},"modified":"2026-07-01T04:57:23","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T04:57:23","slug":"england-vs-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-is-a-battle-between-manchester-uniteds-misfits-and-the-team-that-got-away","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/01\/england-vs-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-is-a-battle-between-manchester-uniteds-misfits-and-the-team-that-got-away\/","title":{"rendered":"England vs. Democratic Republic of the Congo is a battle between Manchester United&#8217;s misfits and the team that got away."},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Atlanta is preparing to take on the misfits of Manchester United. The 2026 version of the \u201cDamned United\u201d duo.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">One is still at the club despite not wanting to, and the other was shown the door at Old Trafford by the manager in 2024, only to suffer the same fate just two months later.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">They turned their backs on England in favor of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while their rivals used the Three Lions to try to rehabilitate themselves at the highest level.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Welcome to the duel between Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Marcus Rashford under the Georgian sun. Wan-Bissaka has everything to gain and Rashford has too much to lose in a scrap that will determine the outcome of this match.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The irony of this subplot is fascinating. When Visaka joined United from Crystal Palace in 2019, Rashford had established himself as the club&#8217;s marquee player.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Wan-Bissaka&#8217;s transfer fee to United was \u00a350 million, making him the sixth most expensive defender in history. He also became the most expensive English player to exceed the Three Lions&#8217; cap.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Ed Woodward, United&#8217;s chief executive at the time, revealed the club considered more than 750 right-backs before deciding on Wan-Bissaka. Twelve months ago, Rashford was helping England reach the semi-finals of the World Cup in Russia.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Meanwhile, Wan-Bissaka was due to receive his first senior call-up from Gareth Southgate, but had to withdraw due to a back problem. And despite pledging to contribute to the England squad, this would be the closest he has ever come to earning a full cap.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37361607\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37361607\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Wan-Bissakka left Manchester United for West Ham in 2024, switching international allegiance 12 months later\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37361607.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2275798776jp-.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37361607.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_GettyImages-2275798776jp-.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37361607.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_GettyImages-2275798776jp-.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37361607.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2275798776jp-.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Wan-Bisakka left Man Utd for West Ham in 2024 and 12 months later switched his international allegiances\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Wan-Bissakka left Manchester United for West Ham in 2024, switching international allegiance 12 months later<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Get the latest 2026 World Cup news in your inbox with our Make Football Great Again newsletter<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Mr Southgate&#8217;s position was bewilderingly rich, including Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Trent Alexander-Arnold and the upstart Reece James.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">In 2024, he lost his place to Diogo Dalot and left United to join West Ham. Almost a year later, Wan-Bissaka&#8217;s request to switch international allegiance to the Democratic Republic of the Congo was approved by FIFA.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He is of Congolese descent and was born in England. And it proved to be an inspired choice, one that has now taken him to the finals of the World Cup.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">And it&#8217;s a head-on clash with his old team-mate Rashford, who is looking to use the World Cup to boost his chances of a move away from United.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37361631\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37361631\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.63\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Wan-Bissaka and Rashford at Man United\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37361631.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-1289078642.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37361631.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_GettyImages-1289078642.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37361631.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_GettyImages-1289078642.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37361631.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-1289078642.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Wan-Bissaka and Rashford during their time together at Man Utd\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Wan-Bissaka and Rashford at Man United<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">If Wan-Bissaka had been patient with his country of birth, perhaps he might have been alongside Rashford in Atlanta. Because England went from abundance to starvation when it came to right-backs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Instead, he will be on a mission to keep his old comrades in his pocket while reminding his favorite players of what they may be missing right now.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">And if Wan-Bissaka can somehow help the Democratic Republic of Congo knock Thomas Tuchel&#8217;s side out of the last 32 of the World Cup, his smugness will be matched by the pain he inflicted on the country that despised him.<\/p>\n<figure data-testid=\"embed-placeholder\" class=\"EmbedPlaceholder_figure__NLMFl undefined false\"><figcaption>Content cannot be displayed without consent<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The World Cup remains a masterpiece when it comes to creating weird and wonderful stories.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Soccer, right? It&#8217;s a fun old game. But who will laugh when the final whistle blows? Wan-Bissaka or Rashford?<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Join our new WhatsApp community and receive Mirror Football content every day. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don&#8217;t like our community, you can always check out. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContentsEmbed_affiliate-contents-container__oTiet\" data-testid=\"affiliate-contents-embed\">\n<div data-testid=\"affiliate-content\" class=\"AffiliateContent_affiliate-content-container__10EX_ affiliate-content\">\n<p>Upgrade your World Cup TV setup with Sky Glass &#8216;designed for soccer&#8217;<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-disclaimer__dG5ST\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-text__8nmDa\">This article contains affiliate links and we receive a commission from any sales we generate from them. learn more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM AffiliateContent_content-details__U6C2M AffiliateContent_has-content-img___LY95\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-image__FxPNL\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"content image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37252457.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s510b\/0_Untitled-June-03-2026-at-091411-3jpeg.jpg\"\/><\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-price-details__OpMC_\">\n<p>From \u00a34.50<\/p>\n<p>sky<\/p>\n<p>Get the deal here<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM\">\n<div id=\"product-description\" class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky is marking the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 20% discount on its entire range of glass TVs. Until June 17, shoppers can upgrade to a Sky smart TV &#8216;designed for football&#8217; from \u00a34.50 a month when taken with a Sky TV and Netflix package.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/news\/england-vs-dr-congo-battle-37361591\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Atlanta is preparing to take on the misfits of Manchester United. The 2026 version of the \u201cDamned United\u201d duo. One is still at the club despite not wanting to, and the other was shown the door at Old Trafford by the manager in 2024, only to suffer the same fate just two months later. They<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":37827,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-37826","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-news"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>England vs. Democratic Republic of the Congo is a battle between Manchester United&#039;s misfits and the team that got away. - EPL VIP \u2013 Latest English Premier League News &amp; Updates<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/01\/england-vs-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-is-a-battle-between-manchester-uniteds-misfits-and-the-team-that-got-away\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"England vs. Democratic Republic of the Congo is a battle between Manchester United&#039;s misfits and the team that got away. - EPL VIP \u2013 Latest English Premier League News &amp; Updates\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Atlanta is preparing to take on the misfits of Manchester United. 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