Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag under pressure as six top players could miss next game

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag under pressure as six top players could miss next game

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag could be missing up to six players for the team’s upcoming Premier League clash against Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday, as reported by Manchester Evening News on Tuesday, September 10, 2024.

 

United are eager to return to winning ways after suffering back-to-back defeats before the international break.

 

The team lost 2-1 to Brighton & Hove Albion in their first away game of the season, followed by a 3-0 loss to Liverpool at Old Trafford.

 

The pressure is mounting on Ten Hag and his squad, with United keen to secure three points this weekend.

 

Southampton presents what appears to be a favorable opportunity, as the Saints have lost their opening three league matches.

 

Ahead of the trip to the south coast, United may receive two major boosts on the injury front.

 

Both Luke Shaw and Rasmus Hojlund, who are yet to make appearances this season, could be in contention to feature.

 

Shaw, who has been sidelined since February with a calf problem, missed the opening three Premier League matches.

 

 

United provided an update on Shaw’s recovery prior to the season opener, stating that he was “working hard on his rehabilitation with a view to being available after the first international break.”

 

Although Shaw may not be fit enough to start, his presence on the bench would be a welcome boost for United, who have deployed Diogo Dalot at left-back in Shaw’s absence.

 

Hojlund has been recovering from a hamstring injury sustained during United’s pre-season tour in the United States.

 

 

The injury, which occurred in July, was expected to keep the striker sidelined for around six weeks.

 

Hojlund has since returned to training, and while Ten Hag did not confirm whether the forward would feature this weekend, he hinted at the possibility.

 

“We have to see how it develops, how he can progress during the [international] break, to get match fit,” said Ten Hag.

 

“He returned on the [training] pitch but it will take a while before he is up. Everyone has seen, it [the injury] happens in the first game [of the pre-season tour], so he needs also to build some fitness.”

 

 

 

Centre-back Victor Lindelof is another player who has yet to feature this season, having injured his toe in United’s final pre-season match against Liverpool.

 

His status for the Southampton match remains uncertain, as his recovery has been slow.

 

Meanwhile, Mason Mount is expected to miss out as he continues to recover from a muscle injury.

 

The midfielder revealed nearly two weeks ago that he expected to miss “a few games.” In addition, left-back Tyrell Malacia remains a long-term absentee, while young defender Leny Yoro, although progressing, is still months away from returning to action.

 

 

Ten Hag is expected to provide a more detailed update on the club’s injury situation when he speaks to the media at Carrington on Thursday.

 

United are hopeful that these returning players will help them get back on track, as they seek to avoid a third consecutive

defeat and climb the Premier League table.