Man Utd Injury News: Fernandes a doubt, Yoro and Hojlund close?
Manchester United return to domestic duties on the back of successive league defeats. Indeed, Erik ten Hag watched on as his United side fell to a late 2-1 loss at Brighton last month, only to follow that up with a disappointing 3-0 home defeat to rivals Liverpool.
With two weeks to prepare for Saturday's lunchtime kickoff against Southampton, supporters are hoping the extra time on the training pitch has the desired effect when they face off against a Saints side that is yet to pick up any points upon their Premier League return.
Here is the latest Manchester United team news ahead of Saturday's trip to the south coast...
Leny Yoro is yet to feature in a competitive match for Manchester United having suffered a foot injury against Arsenal in pre-season.
However, there is light at the end of the tunnel for the Frenchman, who is now reportedly moving without crutches following successful surgery. That said, Yoro is unlikely to return to action until November.
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Like Yoro, Rasmus Hojlund also sustained an injury in the pre-season meeting with Arsenal, and is yet to make a competitive appearance owing to a hamstring problem.
Ten Hag has hinted that the Dane is closing in on a return to fitness. "After the international break but when after the break?" the United boss said when asked on Hojlund's return. Saturday's game at St. Mary's is likely to come too soon for the young striker but he should be back later this month.
Mason Mount started United's first three games of the season, but suffered a thigh issue in the 2-1 loss to Brighton. "It looks like I'll be out for a few games," Mount posted on social media with the issue worse than initially feared. Indeed, the midfielder is unlikely to feature for United again until next month.
It's been over a year since Tyrell Malacia last played competitive football having undergone knee surgery last summer. The left-back has been included in United's Europa League squad, suggesting he is close to a return to fitness. "He is not that far, but he is now in a progress situation," Ten Hag said last month.
After such a long spell out, United are unlikely to rush Malacia back to fitness, so a return in late October is likely.
Another left-back currently absent, Luke Shaw is yet to feature for United this season despite featuring prominently in the tailend of England's Euro 2024 campaign. Shaw sustained a calf issue shortly before the start of the campaign but there is a possibility he could be fit to feature in some capacity against former side Saints.
Like Hojlund and Yoro, Victor Lindelof also sustained an injury in pre-season, doing so against Liverpool in the United States. The Swede didn't make the matchday squad for the defeat to Liveprool, nor did he feature for his nation during the international break. There is currently no timescale on his return.
Captain Bruno Fernandes gave Manchester United fans a scare in Portugal's 2-1 win over Scotland on Sunday. However, the 30-year-old allayed fears of a spell on the sidelines, stating: "It was just a little knock." It would be a shock if he wasn't fit to feature against Saints.
