Cristiano Ronaldo is set to return, while Casemiro will make his Manchester United debut against Southampton on Saturday.
Manchester United will aim to kick-start a positive run of results when they lock horns with Southampton at St. Mary’s on Saturday. And Erik ten Hag has a new injury concern hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Anthony Martial is the latest absentee for Manchester United after sustaining an Achilles injury in the game against Liverpool earlier this week. In addition, Victor Lindelof, Brandon Williams, and Facundo Pellistri remain on the sidelines and will not play against Southampton on Saturday.
Erik ten Hag provided an update on Martial during his pre-match press conference and also spoke about Manchester United’s latest signing, Casemiro. The Manchester United manager said, “We will see tomorrow. The manager knows but I will first tell the team and we will see tomorrow.”
“Casemiro is fit. He did all of the training sessions. He trained first individually and, the last days, he trained with the team. Anthony Martial is not fit. He came out with a problem on his Achilles, [coming] out of the game, so we have to wait. I cannot tell a prognosis how long it takes but, of course, I hope that he will be available for the next game [Leicester].”
Erik ten Hag also provided an update on Lindelof during his presser, revealing that the Swede will be back with the squad on Sunday and available for the next game. The Manchester United boss added, “Victor Lindelof did really well in pre-season so I am happy he will be back on Sunday in the squad, so we will have another option.”
With Lindelof still unavailable and Harry Maguire struggling early in the season, Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez will continue at the heart of the Manchester United defence. The duo made a solid impression against Liverpool, and ten Hag has no reason to drop either player.
Tyrell Malacia was also impressive on Monday and should start ahead of Luke Shaw at left-back, with Diogo Dalot an automatic pick on the opposite flank. David de Gea will take his usual spot between the sticks for Manchester United against Southampton.
Casemiro should make the starting lineup straightaway, despite an impressive performance by Scott McTominay earlier this week. The Brazilian international will sit at the base of the midfield unit, with Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes being the chief creators for Manchester United.
Martial’s absence through injury has given Cristiano Ronaldo the opportunity to return to the starting lineup. Ronaldo will spearhead the Manchester United attack against Southampton, with Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho being the two wide attackers.
Predicted Manchester United XI: de Gea; Dalot, Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Malacia; Fernandes, Casemiro, Eriksen; Sancho, Ronaldo, Rashford
