Reds stars on track for 2012

A number of United players remain on track for Euro 2012, after helping their national teams to claim or consolidate top spots in their qualifying groups.

Portugal's 1-0 home win over Norway was a vital one - it enabled Nani's side to match their opponents on 10 points and go top of Group H. Sporting Lisbon striker Helder Postiga scored the decisive goal shortly after half-time in Lisbon, where Nani played 86 minutes before being replaced by Silvestre Varela. The Portuguese have three qualifiers to complete in the autumn - the final one, in Copenhagen on 11 October, currently has the makings of a play-off as Denmark also have 10 points and lie second after winning 2-0 in Iceland on Saturday night.

Republic of Ireland are in a similar position; points-wise they are also in a three-way tie at the top of Group B, with Russia and Slovakia. All three sides won on Saturday, with United's John O'Shea helping the Irish to beat Macedonia 2-0 away. Robbie Keane's 50th and 51st goals for his country, both scored in the first half, were enough to clinch an impressive victory. O'Shea played the full 90 minutes in Skopje and was relieved when a penalty he conceded shortly before the break was missed by Ivan Trickovski.

England retained pole position in Group G but only just. Rio Ferdinand and co were trailing 0-2 to Switzerland at Wembley following a quick-fire double by Tranquillo Barnetta, but Frank Lampard's penalty halved the arrears for the interval and then Ashley Young equalised just six minutes after coming on as a half-time substitute for England's first scorer.

Fabio Capello's men now have the same number of points as Montenegro who were also held at home, 1-1 by Bulgaria.

Patrice Evra was an unused sub in Minsk where clear Group D leaders France were held 1-1 by Belarus. Both goals came around the midway point in the first half; the hosts took the lead through an own goal by Barcelona defender Eric Abidal but they were only in front for two minutes until Chelsea winger Florent Malouda equalised.

Three young Reds were on international duty on Sunday afternoon, as England's Under-21s warmed up for this month's European Championships by beating Norway 2-0 at St Mary's, home of Southampton. Chris Smalling played the full match, while Danny Welbeck came off at half-time to be replaced by United team-mate Tom Cleverley. All three are hoping to feature when England play their first match in the Denmark-hosted tournament against Spain next Sunday.