Erik ten Hag confirms new players ‘available’ to make debut against Southampton

Erik ten Hag has revealed that Manuel Ugarte is available to make his debut against Southampton this weekend after returning from international duty with Uruguay.

Recent Red Devils signing Garte penned a long-term deal at Old Trafford on deadline day, bringing one of the summer’s most protracted transfer stories to an end. The midfielder was introduced to United fans ahead of their 3-0 defeat to rivals Liverpool, but is yet to make his debut under Ten Hag.

The United boss has given an update on when fans can expect to see him play, however, revealing that Ugarte is in fact ‘available’ for the visit of Southampton on Saturday.

“Manuel Ugarte, we all saw him playing against Uruguay,” the Dutch player told the media. “He came back in the afternoon, he is the only player who came back today, all the others came back yesterday so he is available for this game.

He went on to confirm that both Rasmus Hojlund and Luke Shaw are unavailable but are ‘progressing very well’.

United began their 2024/25 campaign with a win over Fulham before defeats to Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool. They are currently sitting on only three points and will hope to improve when the season starts.

Asked whether United’s form would improve or not, Ten Hag replied: “We’ll see where we are in May next year, it’s very early in the season and it’s about winning trophies, being as high as possible in the league, doing everything possible to win every game and then we’ll see in May where we are in the league .

“I know continuously where we are, what we have to do, where we are going, we are still in the midst of changes, we have to gather a lot of young players. We still have to deal with injuries and bring players back. in the group.

“Before anyone thinks of excuses, no, we have to win every game. I know that. The team knows this. We will focus every game and have the mentality to win every game.”

United will return to action on Saturday when they travel to St Mary’s to take on newly promoted Southampton. They will then face League One side Barnsley in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday at Old Trafford.

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