United summer signing prompts fitness concerns ahead of So’ton clash, admits he feels ‘a bit down’

Manchester United fans are keeping their fingers crossed that Manuel Ugarte will make his maiden outing for the club this weekend.

The Reds return to Premier League action on Saturday afternoon with an away trip to face newly-promoted Southampton, who are yet to claim a point since their return to the top flight.

As for Erik ten Hag and his men, they entered the international break on the back of two consecutive losses, leaving them 14th-placed in the table. Anything other than a convincing victory would only add to the mounting pressure on the Dutchman’s shoulders – and he may have to field a similar team to that of the Liverpool defeat.

Read more: Van Nistelrooy gushes over Utd’s ‘fantastic talent’ to Schmeichel, he has ‘so much potential’ – fans will be thrilled

Not only are the club thought to be taking a ‘cautious approach’ with Rasmus Hojlund’s injury return, but new recruit Manuel Ugarte played through illness for Uruguay in their World Cup qualifier overnight.

Ugarte falls ill before international clash

Marcelo Bielsa utilised the 23-year-old for the full 90 minutes of the team’s 0-0 draw with Venezuela and 79 minutes in the previous stalemate with Paraguay on September 7.

Post-match, Ugarte told AUF TV (cited by Metro): “Now I feel a bit down, but I felt fine during the match despite the head. Yesterday, I had a bit of a fever, but we drew and got a point.”