BREAKING NEWS: Reporting Live From Old Trafford, Erik Ten Hag Confirms 4 First-Team Manchester United Stars Who Were Available For Selection Again Liverpool Will Not Be Available For Southampton Clash. According To Reports, It Has Been Confirmed That Some Senior Star Won’t Be Available For Selection Against Southampton Due To Personal Reasons And Injury. He Said, “We Are Still In Transition Period But NO Excuses. We Have To Win Every Game And With My New Starting Lineup I Know We Will Win. 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.” The Red Devils Are Set To Face Southampton On Saturday, At St. Mary’s Stadium With 4 First Team Player

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has announced that Rasmus Hojlund and Luke Shaw will miss the upcoming Premier League match against Southampton at St. Mary’s Stadium on Saturday, September 14.

Both Hojlund and Shaw have yet to play for Manchester United this season. Hojlund, the 21-year-old Danish forward, picked up a hamstring injury during a pre-season match against Arsenal in the U.S. tour. Shaw, meanwhile, injured his calf at the beginning of pre-season training.

Despite hopes that both players might return after the international break, Ten Hag provided an update on their recovery. He stated (via Fabrizio Romano on X), “Rasmus Højlund and Luke Shaw are progressing very well but won’t be available to face Southampton on Saturday.”

Moreover, Manchester United is contending with additional injury concerns involving Tyrell Malacia, Leny Yoro, Victor Lindelöf, Daniel Gore, and Mason Mount. These injuries have contributed to a difficult start to the 2024-25 season, with United winning only one of their first three Premier League games.

Despite these challenges, Ten Hag emphasized that the team should not use injuries as an excuse and must strive for victories. The Dutch manager remarked, “We are still in a 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.”

Currently, Manchester United is 14th in the Premier League standings with just three points from three matches, falling short of expectations. In related news, former Arsenal player Emmanuel Petit has suggested that Erik ten Hag should consider appointing Kobbie Mainoo as Manchester United’s captain. Petit believes the 19-year-old English midfielder represents the club’s future and should be given the captaincy early in his career.

Speaking to *Top Offshore Sportsbooks*, Petit identified Mainoo and fellow young player Alejandro Garnacho as potential future leaders for United. He commented (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 Kobbie 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.”

Petit also noted that Mainoo, despite his youth, is gaining recognition in the national team and is a source of pride for United’s supporters. He added, “Maybe Erik ten Hag needs to make a statement to his underperforming players and show that he’s ready to fight alongside those who are ready to fight with him.”

Bruno Fernandes was named Manchester United’s captain in 2023 under Ten Hag, but Petit’s suggestion reflects ongoing discussions about leadership within the club. Since beginning his senior career with United in 2022, Mainoo has scored five goals and provided one assist in 39 appearances across competitions.

As Manchester United prepares for their next match against Southampton, the pressure intensifies on both the manager and players to deliver results amid injury issues and rising expectations from fans and analysts.