Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Rasmus Hojlund and Luke Shaw will be unavailable for their upcoming Premier League match against Southampton at St. Mary’s Stadium on Saturday, September 14.
Neither Hojlund nor Shaw has featured for Manchester United this season. Hojlund, the 21-year-old Danish striker, sustained a hamstring injury during a pre-season game against Arsenal in the U.S. tour over the summer. Shaw, on the other hand, suffered a calf injury at the start of pre-season training.
Many supporters had hoped both players would return after the international break, but Ten Hag provided an update on their recovery. He mentioned (via Fabrizio Romano on X), “Rasmus Højlund and Luke Shaw are progressing very well but won’t be available to face Southampton on Saturday.”
Additionally, Manchester United is dealing with several other injury issues, including Tyrell Malacia, Leny Yoro, Victor Lindelöf, Daniel Gore, and Mason Mount. These injuries have contributed to a challenging start to the 2024-25 season, with United winning only one of their first three Premier League matches.
Despite these setbacks, Ten Hag stressed that the team must not use injuries as an excuse and must focus on securing victories. The Dutch manager stated, “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 their seasonal goals.
In related news, former Arsenal player Emmanuel Petit has suggested that Erik ten Hag should consider naming 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 further 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 highlights ongoing discussions about leadership within the club. Since starting 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 mounts on both the manager and players to perform well amid injury problems and increasing expectations from fans and analysts.