Manchester United star faces delay to injury return

Manchester United do not want to rush Rasmus Hojlund back from injury and, as a result, he may not return this weekend against Southampton as expected.

The 21-year-old has not played so far this season after picking up a hamstring problem in pre-season during a friendly with Arsenal in July.

The injury was bad enough to keep him out of the start of the campaign but the Denmark international was expected to return after the current international break and be fit for a trip to Southampton on Saturday.

However, ESPN report that his return could now be delayed as Manchester United do not want to take any risks with him suffering a recurrence of the problem.

Hojlund will be assessed ahead of the weekend and could still be involved, but the club will be taking a cautious approach and will be happy to leave him out and ease him back into action slowly.

After the trip to St Mary’s, Manchester United host Barnsley in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday 17 September before travelling to Crystal Palace in the Premier League the following weekend.

If Hojlund does not return this weekend, he will hope to be reintroduced to the first team in those fixtures.

Manchester United were blighted with injury problems last season and Erik ten Hag continues to be handed fitness headaches at the start of this campaign.

Luke Shaw is yet to play this season, as is summer signing Leny Yoro, while Tyrell Malacia remains on the long-term injured list.

Mason Mount has featured but is now sidelined and is unlikely to return until October due to a hamstring problem.

While Manchester United are not rushing Hojlund back, Ten Hag will be delighted when the striker is available again after a slow start to the season in front of goal.

The Red Devils struggled up front last season, scoring just 57 Premier League goals and have netted just twice in their opening three games.

Hojlund scored 10 league goals last campaign and 16 in all competitions, so is likely to be a big part of their goal threat again this time around.

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