Erik ten Hag confirms 2 first-team Manchester United stars will not be available for Southampton clash
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Rasmus Hojlund and Luke Shaw will not be available for their upcoming Premier League clash. The Red Devils are set to face Southampton on Saturday, September 14, at St. Mary's Stadium.
Rasmus Hojlund and Luke Shaw are yet to make an appearance for the Red Devils this season. The 21-year-old Danish striker picked up a hamstring injury in United's pre-season clash against Arsenal during their trip to the United States over the summer.
Luke Shaw, meanwhile, sustained a calf injury at the beginning of pre-season training.
While most fans expected the players to return after the international break, manager Erik ten Hag has shared an update on their recovery. He said (via Fabrizio Romano on X):
"Rasmus Højlund and Luke Shaw are progressing very well but won't be available to face Southampton on Saturday."
Besides Hojlund and Shaw, Manchester United are also without Tyrell Malacia, Leny Yoro, Victor Lindelöf, Daniel Gore, and Mason Mount due to injury issues.
The Red Devils haven't had the ideal start to the 2024-25 season, winning one out of their first three Premier League games. Speaking about his team's ambition in the upcoming matches, the Dutch manager said:
"We are still in transition period but NO excuses. We have to win every game. I know that. The team knows that and it doesn’t matter who is available. We will focus on every game and approach it with the mindset that we have to win."
Manchester United are currently 14th in the Premier League table with three points.
Emmanuel Petit wants Erik ten Hag to name Kobbie Mainoo as Manchester United captain
Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit has urged Erik ten Hag to appoint Kobbie Mainoo as the Manchester United captain. The former midfielder believes that the 19-year-old Englishman is the future of the club and that he should be given the responsibility early in his career.
Speaking to Top Offshore Sportsbooks, Emmanuel Petit referred to Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho as the future of Manchester United and potential leaders. He said (via Metro):
"I'm looking at the squad and I can't see any leaders. United's best players have been the likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Kobie Mainoo. It would be a bold move, but If I'm Ten Hag, maybe I would make a strong decision and appoint the future of the club (Mainoo) as my captain."
"Mainoo is young, but he's English. He's establishing himself in the national team. He's the pride of the fans at Old Trafford. Maybe Erik ten Hag needs to make a statement to his underperforming players and fight that says I'm ready to fight with those who are ready to fight with me," Petit added.
Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes was given the captain's armband in 2023 by Erik ten Hag.
Kobbie Mainoo, who started his senior career with Manchester United in 2022, has recorded five goals and one assist in 39 appearances across competitions for the Red Devils.