There was an unusual England squad named in March 2019, for games against the Czech Republic and Montenegro, as it did not contain a single player from Manchester United.
For the best part of two-and-a-half decades the heart of the England side had often been taken from Old Trafford, but this selection under Gareth Southgate, partially enforced by injury, was a sign of the waning influence United had at the top of the domestic game.
But under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that has begun to change. Marcus Rashford, injured for that March 2019 doubleheader, is now a mainstay for club and country, as Harry Maguire would normally be without his conviction for assault in Greece hanging over his head.
When Southgate named his latest squad at 2pm on Tuesday - for Nations League games against Iceland and Denmark next month - the United contingent was four. Added to Rashford and Maguire were two academy graduates in goalkeepers Dean Henderson and forward Mason Greenwood. But for injury, Luke Shaw could perhaps have made it five.
Events in Greece hours after the squad was named reduced that contingent to three, with Maguire withdrawn following his conviction, even though he immediately stated his intention to appeal.
While international call-ups are a sign of recognition and generally good news for a club, despite the interminable club vs country rows that pockmark a season, one of those selections could create a headache for Solskjaer next season.
The call-up for Henderson as one of three goalkeepers was to be expected and would have happened in March if those internationals hadn't been shelved as the coronavirus pandemic gripped Europe.
Now his arrival in the squad, alongside Jordan Pickford and Nick Pope, signals the firing of the start gun in the race to be England's No. 1 at Euro 2020, now taking place in the summer of 2021.
Pickford is the man in possession but his grip on the jersey is loosening after a poor season at Everton. Pope has excelled for Burnley and Henderson did last season for Sheffield United. Both will expect to challenge to be the first choice between now and next summer.
But to do that they need to be playing every week for their club sides. Right now there is no guarantee that will be the case for Henderson.
A loan move away from Old Trafford for one more season might have been the ideal option for all parties, but Sergio Romero's uncertain future as No. 2 to David de Gea, and Sheffield United's decision to spend £18.5million on Aaron Ramsdale, has ended that possibility for now.
If Henderson is given encouragement on England duty next week he is unlikely to accept being told he will be starting the new season as back-up to De Gea, even if that might be United's best option at the moment. He is going to want guarantees he can play regularly and give himself the best chance of becoming England's No. 1. The balance for the 24-year-old is that his best chance of becoming United No. 1 might be staying put this season, starting in reserve and waiting for his opportunities to impress.
Pickford would seem almost certain to start the fixtures against Iceland on September 5 and Denmark on September 8, given they are competitive games and he remains the first choice, for now, but a first call-up propels Henderson into the picture and if he trains well at St George's Park it can only help his cause.
For United, having three players in the England squad, all of whom are academy graduates, will be a source of great pride, but the inclusion of Henderson could well complicate Solskjaer's plans for next season.
