Manchester United team news and predicted line-up: Ugarte debut decision for Southampton clash, Fernandes injury update and Martinez replacement

09/11/2024 06:27 AM

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has a number of key decisions to ponder ahead of their trip to Southampton this weekend.

The Red Devils boss will be desperate to reignite his team’s already-faltering season during a critical international break.

United were booed off at Old Trafford after an embarrassing 3-0 home defeat to Liverpool before the Premier League went on hiatus.

Ten Hag’s men had started the new campaign by beating Fulham, but consecutive defeats have left them languishing in 14th in the table.

As a result, the pressure is firmly on to avoid a slip-up at newly-promoted Southampton, who are one of just two teams without a single point.

However, Ten Hag’s job to get United back on track hasn’t been made any easier by the shape of his struggling squad.

Casemiro is set to retain his starting berth despite being replaced at half-time against Liverpool following two errors that led to goals.

The 32-year-old has trained at Carrington after being left out of Brazil’s squad but doubts remain over his long-term place with the arrival of Manuel Ugarte.

The £50million Deadline Day signing wasn’t registered in time to play Liverpool and his involvement at the Copa America alongside his protracted exit from Paris Saint-Germain meant he didn’t get minutes during pre-season.

Ugarte made positive strides towards regaining his sharpness by playing 79 minutes in Uruguay’s 0-0 draw with Paraguay on Saturday.

The midfielder won’t be ready to start a Premier League match yet, and Ten Hag has already shown caution with bedding in fellow summer signings Joshua Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt.

Both of those players will likely start, despite highly contrasting experiences while away together on Netherlands duty.

De Ligt came under heavy criticism for his performance in Oranje’s 5-2 win over Bosnia – a game where Zirkzee got his first Dutch goal.

He was then hauled off at half-time during Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Germany following another error that led to a goal.

But De Ligt is likely to be unpunished by Ten Hag, who may be forced into disrupting his preferred centre-back partnership.

Lisandro Martinez is unquestionably first-choice when fit, but fixture scheduling may take the decision out of his hands.

The 26-year-old started Argentina’s 2-1 defeat to Colombia on Tuesday night, with the match taking place in Barranquilla.

Martinez will have racked up significant time travelling upon his Manchester return having also played in La Albiceleste’s 3-0 win over Chile in Buenos Aires on international duty.

Factoring in recovery time, the defender may only get one training session for United before the squad head down to Southampton on Friday night due to the 12:30pm kick-off.

Martinez’s compatriot Alexis Mac Allister found himself starting away at Wolves for Liverpool in the early Saturday morning slot following the September international break last year only to badly struggle and be hauled off at half-time.

If Ten Hag learns from Jurgen Klopp‘s mistake then Martinez, who also struggles with muscle injuries, may have to make do on the bench.

The former Ajax boss has made it clear publicly that he prefers Harry Maguire on the right side of defence, and Leny Yoro‘s absence may open the door for Jonny Evans to be handed a surprise start.

The 36-year-old – who has retired from Northern Ireland duty – played the full 90 minutes on the left against Man City in the Community Shield.

Having missed the decisive penalty in last month’s shootout defeat, Evans has been restricted to just nine minutes so far this term.

The veteran featured 23 times in the Premier League last season but has been an unused substitute across the past two matches.

Alongside Evans on the left will be Diogo Dalot, despite Luke Shaw closing in on a comeback against his old side Southampton.

Shaw – who suffered a calf strain following his return to pre-season – has made just one start since February which came in England’s 2-1 defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final.

Rasmus Hojlund is further along in his comeback bid from his own fitness issue but won’t be rushed with Zirkzee set to lead the line.

There’s better news over Bruno Fernandes, who played down the severity of a knock he sustained in Portugal’s 2-1 win over Scotland.

The United captain will take his favoured No.10 role, with Marcus Rashford on the left after being left out of England’s squad.

Amad Diallo, who built upon winning the club’s Player of the Month by impressing for Ivory Coast, is set to get the nod on the right over Alejandro Garnacho.