Manchester United receive triple fitness boost, including Erik ten Hag doubt

Manchester United and Erik ten Hag are set to receive a triple fitness boost over the international break and ahead of the Premier League return.

The Reds have had a rough start to the new season, with just one Premier League win in their first three matches.

A 3-0 loss to rivals Liverpool last Sunday followed a last-minute defeat against Brighton the weekend before.

Despite a promising opening win against Fulham, Erik ten Hag’s team still has a lot of work to do and face Southampton after the international break.

Fortunately, there are several pieces of fitness news that will please Ten Hag and his staff ahead of the away fixture against the newly promoted Premier League outfit.

Firstly, Rasmus Højlund is working tirelessly behind the scenes after returning to the grass at Carrington last week.

After he sustained a hamstring injury during pre-season, United have missed Højlund in the team and are struggling in front of goal.

It has been reported that Ten Hag is hopeful that the striker could be available against The Saints in what would be a huge boost for the team.

Another player expected back in time for that game is Luke Shaw, who also suffered injury during pre-season despite competing with England at Euro 2024.

The left-back has been heavily criticised for that but it is no secret that United are a better team when he is fit and on the pitch. Ten Hag has been using Diogo Dalot in that position to start the season.

Shaw will need to prove his fitness in the longer term to get some fans back on his side, but he looks set to return when club football is back.

Meanwhile, after Ten Hag admitted his concerns about Manuel Ugarte potentially not being able to start in the next few weeks due to his lack of pre-season, the club’s new midfielder has provided an update on his physical condition going into the international break.

“I’m very happy, very hungry and very excited,” Ugarte told reporters. “I feel very good; I have prepared myself. The truth is that I haven’t played many minutes since the season began, but physically, I feel very good.”

With the 23-year-old set to play some much-needed football over the international break, he looks likely to be ahead of schedule to get into the team.

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