Ugarte hoping to make his debut this weekend (Picture: Manchester United via Getty Images)
Manchester United head to Southampton this weekend in desperate need of a positive result after a rocky start to the new Premier League season.
Erik ten Hag’s side have suffered back-to-back defeats to Brighton and Liverpool to pile the pressure on the Dutchman even at this early stage of the campaign. Even their opening day victory over Fulham at Old Trafford was a narrow one, with Joshua Zirkzee coming to the rescue off the bench that evening.
Manuel Ugarte was not registered in time to feature against Liverpool prior to the international break but United supporters will be desperate to see the 23-year-old come into the side after Casemiro’s tough day at the office against their arch-rivals last time out.
With very little pre-season under his belt, ten Hag has suggested Ugarte ‘needs to build his fitness’ having also opted to introduce Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt to the side gradually with roles off the bench in the first two games of the season.
Ugarte did get 79 valuable minutes under his belt for Uruguay on Saturday and is expected to be involved in the game against Venezuela on Tuesday night.
But the long trip back to Manchester in time for Saturday’s early kick-off could mean a role on the bench.
Injury problems have been another headache for ten Hag with Rasmus Hojlund, Luke Shaw and Leny Yoro still to feature this season.
Hojlund is closing in on his return (Picture: Getty Images)
While the latter is not expected to be back until November, Hojlund is close to being available again having returned to training at Carrington before the international break. The Dane suffered a hamstring injury in a pre-season clash with Arsenal.
Shaw meanwhile has been sidelined with a calf injury with a club statement in August suggesting he would be available following September’s international break.
Ten Hag is expected to provide an update on the pair at his pre-match press conference on Thursday.
How United could line up this weekend.
Victor Lindelof is another who will be available again after training during the international break. Tyrell Malacia was registered in United’s Europa League squad last week but is still working his way back having not played for the club since May 2023.
Mason Mount meanwhile suffered yet another injury setback a week ago and is not expected to be available for the trip to the south coast this weekend.
Predicted Man Utd XI to face Southampton
Onana, Mazraoui, de Ligt, Martinez, Dalot, Casemiro, Mainoo, Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford, Zirkzee
Where to watch Southampton vs Man Utd? Kick-off time and TV channel
Southampton vs Man Utd kicks off at 12:30pm on Saturday 14 September.
Live coverage is available on TNT Sports 1 and the Discovery+ app.
Manchester United news, exclusives and analysis
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