REDS ON INTERNATIONAL DUTY

Eric Bailly was booked in the first half as Ivory Coast had to settle for a goalless draw at bottom-side Mali. Group C in the African section will go down to the wire with the Elephants meeting Morocco in their final match on 6 November.

Spain confirmed top place in Group G with a comfortable 3-0 success over Albania. David De Gea kept yet another clean sheet, although Armando Sadiku did head against the woodwork for the visitors.

Matteo Darmian played the full game on the left-hand side as Italy were held to a 1-1 draw by FYR Macedonia. Giorgio Chiellini's opener was cancelled out by Aleksandar Trajkovski to leave the Azzurri having to settle for a play-off spot.

Serbia would have qualified with a win but, although still top of Group D, they are now only one point clear of Wales, who beat Georgia 1-0 thanks to ex-Red Tom Lawrence's goal. Wales will next face Republic of Ireland, who defeated Moldova 2-0, while another key final fixture will see Serbia entertain Georgia.

Nemanja Matic scored for Serbia in Austria, sweeping home with his left foot from the edge of the six-yard box, but the hosts won 3-2 with Louis Schaub claiming a late winner. Reports claim Jose Mourinho was in Vienna to watch the tie.

The latest on Romelu Lukaku is he has not travelled with Belgium's squad for the match in Bosnia on Saturday due to an ankle injury. However, he could still represent the already-qualified Rode Duivels against Cyprus on Tuesday.

Nemanja Matic's Serbia are in Austria, looking to seal top spot in Group D. Spain are odds-on to win Group G with David De Gea aiming to shut out Albania while Matteo Darmian's Italy are also at home, to FYR Macedonia, in the same pool. Ivory Coast, and Eric Bally, have their African qualifier in Mali later tonight.

Ecuador are already out, after losing 2-1 to Chile, but Antonio Valencia's side will play a huge role in deciding Argentina's fate as they meet in Quito on Tuesday (the early hours of Wednesday in the UK).

Sergio Romero kept a clean sheet but Argentina were held 0-0 by Peru, meaning one of the pre-tournament favourites sit in sixth spot in the South American group and are currently out of a qualifying spot.

United duo Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard were involved as England qualified for next summer’s World Cup finals with a 1-0 win over Slovenia, secured by Harry Kane’s injury-time goal at Wembley.

Rashford was arguably England’s best player, attacking with verve from the left and almost opening the scoring with an audacious lob on the hour mark, shortly before Jesse Lingard was introduced to add some attacking impetus in the no.10 role. Chris Smalling was an unused substitute.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s Armenia endured a night to forget as they were hammered 6-1 at home by Group E leaders Poland, for whom Robert Lewandowski scored a hat-trick and became his country’s leading scorer. Micki captained his already-eliminated team in a left-sided attacking role but could do little to prevent Adam Nawalka’s men running riot in Yerevan. (Pic credit: Hrach Khachatryan)

Belgium boss Roberto Martinez has suggested Romelu Lukaku is struggling with a slight ankle knock, and could miss Saturday's clash with Bosnia and Herzegovina, though he could feature against Cyprus on Tuesday. Martinez said: "Romelu has worked separately. We will make a decision about him on Friday but I think it will be difficult. Romelu would like to join in, but he must be fully recovered."

Henrikh Mkhitaryan's Armenia are in action at 17:00 BST today (Thursday) when facing Poland in Group E. Our midfield magician is starting the tie. Later on, England host Slovenia before the South American qualifiers.

Former Liverpool and Arsenal defender Kolo Toure has been named Ivory Coast's new assistant manager ahead of their crucial World Cup qualifier with Mali. Eric Bailly is set to win his 23rd cap for the Elephants at Mali's National Stadium in Bamako on Friday night.

United's 21-year-old keeper Kieran O'Hara has trained with Martin O'Neill's senior Republic of Ireland squad this week ahead of their crunch World Cup qualifiers with Moldova and Wales.

One Red who won't be in action for England tonight is Phil Jones, who returned to the club on Monday after pulling out of the squad through injury. The defender played in both of the Three Lions' victories over Malta and Slovakia last month.

The second international break of 2017/18 is upon us and no fewer than 14 United players have left the club to represent their countries in World Cup qualifiers. See which Reds could be in action and when in our comprehensive guide.