Erik ten Hag says Manuel Ugarte is available to make his Manchester United debut against Southampton on Saturday despite only returning from international duty today (Thursday).
Rasmus Hojlund and Luke Shaw are “progressing well” as they continue their recovery from respective hamstring and calf injuries but will not be ready to return at the weekend.
Ugarte, 23, played the full 90 minutes during Uruguay’s 0-0 draw in a World Cup qualifier in Venezuela on Tuesday and returned to Carrington one day later than the rest of the United squad who were on international duty this month.
“Rasmus Hojlund and Luke Shaw they are progressing very well but not ready for this game,” Ten Hag said. “Manuel Ugarte, we all have seen he played for Uruguay, he returned this afternoon, he was the only player who returned today, all the others returned yesterday so he is available for this game.”
Ugarte joined Manchester United from Paris Saint-Germain this summer in a deal worth €50million (£42.3m; $55.8m) plus a further €10m in add-ons.
He signed a five-year contract at United with the option to extend for a further 12 months and was presented to the Old Trafford crowd before the Premier League defeat to Liverpool at the start of September.
Fellow defensive midfielder Casemiro was replaced at half-time during the Liverpool loss following his role in the visitors’ two goals, with 20-year-old Toby Collyer coming on in his place.
United have begun their campaign with a win and two defeats before the visit to a newly-promoted Southampton side yet to pick up a point.
“It (outside noise) doesn’t impact me, I know in the process where we are,” he said. “We are still in a transition process, we have to integrate a lot of young players. We still have to deal with injuries and bring players back into the team. Before anyone thinks about excuses, no, we have to win every game. I know that. The team knows that.”
(Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
