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 players.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed that both Rasmus Hojlund and Luke Shaw will miss their upcoming Premier League match against Southampton. The Red Devils are set to play at St. Mary’s Stadium on Saturday, September 14.

Neither Hojlund nor Shaw has made an appearance for Manchester United this season. The 21-year-old Danish striker, Hojlund, suffered a hamstring injury during United’s pre-season clash against Arsenal while on their U.S. tour over the summer. Meanwhile, Shaw picked up a calf injury at the beginning of pre-season training.

Many fans had hoped that both players would return following the international break, but ten Hag provided an update on their recovery progress. He explained (via Fabrizio Romano on X), “Rasmus Højlund and Luke Shaw are progressing very well but won’t be available to face Southampton on Saturday.”

In addition to Hojlund and Shaw, Manchester United is dealing with several other injury concerns, including Tyrell Malacia, Leny Yoro, Victor Lindelöf, Daniel Gore, and Mason Mount. These absences have contributed to a less-than-ideal start to the 2024-25 season for United, who have only won one of their first three Premier League matches.

Despite these challenges, ten Hag emphasized that the team cannot make excuses and must focus on winning. 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 sits 14th in the Premier League table with just three points after three games, a position far from their ambitions for the season.

In other news surrounding the club, former Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit has called on Erik ten Hag to consider appointing Kobbie Mainoo as Manchester United’s captain. Petit believes the 19-year-old English midfielder represents the future of the club and should be entrusted with the captaincy early in his career.

Speaking to *Top Offshore Sportsbooks*, Petit highlighted Mainoo and fellow youngster Alejandro Garnacho as the potential future leaders of United. He remarked (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 explained that Mainoo, despite his youth, is English and gaining recognition within the national team, making him a source of pride for United’s fans. 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 appointed as Manchester United’s captain in 2023 under ten Hag, but Petit’s suggestion reflects the ongoing conversation 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 faces their next challenge against Southampton, the pressure is on both the manager and players to find form amidst mounting injury setbacks and rising expectations from fans and football pundits alike.