Manuel Ugarte is in line to make his debut for Manchester United at Southampton on Saturday after returning from international duty with Uruguay.
Ugarte moved to Old Trafford from Paris Saint-Germain for £50.5million on deadline day but hardly had time to meet his new teammates before jetting off for the World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Venezuela.
The 23-year-old midfielder played all but 11 minutes of the two goalless draws and complained of feeling under the weather, but returned to Carrington on Thursday and will be in the United squad at St Mary’s.
It remains to be seen if manager Erik ten Hag starts Ugarte given his long-distance travelling and lack of training time with the rest of the squad. Although Casemiro made two costly mistakes in United’s defeat to Liverpool last time out, the veteran Brazilian could keep his place.
Ten Hag confirmed Ugarte’s availability and said that Rasmus Hojlund and Luke Shaw – who have both been absent this season with hamstring injuries – are making progress in their rehabilitation.
‘Manuel Ugarte we all have seen he played for Uruguay, he returned this afternoon, he was the only player who returned today, all the others returned yesterday, so he is available for this game,’ said Ten Hag. ‘Rasmus Hojlund and Luke Shaw they are progressing very well but not ready for this game.’
