Early team news for Southampton trip

Russell Martin's side will welcome us to St Mary's Stadium with ambitions of putting their first points on the board after a difficult return to England's top tier, with the Reds equally charged up to put a tough Liverpool defeat behind us.

Hopefully, the United players representing their nations across the world have escaped relatively unscathed, but any further updates on availability will likely be delivered by Erik ten Hag in his pre-match press conference on Thursday.

Here's everything we currently know about both sides...

UNITED TEAM NEWS

Of the Reds currently in the treatment room, updates on Rasmus Hojlund, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw will be the most keenly anticipated by supporters as they could be nearing a return, despite missing international action with their respective nations.

Shaw is yet to appear in a United line-up so far this season, unfortunately picking up a fresh injury before the start of the season, but has been working towards a comeback after the international break.

Ten Hag also previously confirmed Hojlund's progress was to be monitored, but stopped short of identifying which game he was targeting for the striker's first outing of 2024/25. An update on those two, and Lindelof, could be forthcoming in the press conference. It's expected that this game will come too quickly for Mason Mount and fellow absentees Leny Yoro and Tyrell Malacia.

There were fears that Reds captain Bruno Fernandes had picked up a knock in Portugal's last-gasp victory over Scotland. The midfielder was seen in some discomfort towards the end of the game, but confirmed in a post-match interview that it was "just a little bump".

The south-coast clash could also be where fans catch their first glimpse of new summer signing Manuel Ugarte, who missed the Liverpool game due to his registration not being processed in time. The midfielder has, however, been away with Uruguay for the international break and faces lengthy midweek travel back to England, so it remains to be seen whether he is ready in time for Saturday's early kick-off.

Lisandro Martinez and Alejandro Garnacho have also been in South America and Amad was in Chad on Tuesday with Ivory Coast.

SOUTHAMPTON'S TEAM NEWS

Updates could also be forthcoming from Southampton boss Russell Martin before Saturday's game, with the Saints anticipating the return of forward duo Ross Stewart and Kamaldeen Sulemana in the near future.

Stewart has not turned out for Martin's side since the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final against West Brom. Sulemana picked up his issue in a pre-season friendly against Oxford United, meaning he has missed the opening three games of the Premier League season.

Speaking to local press near the start of the campaign, Martin was hopeful of seeing the pair return towards the end of August. That target was missed, but the additional time allowed due to the international break means that they could be ready for action this Saturday.

As with Ten Hag, any further squad updates are likely to be provided by Martin in his press conference later this week, as he has several new additions who come into the frame.

HOW TO WATCH AND FOLLOW

The action is being broadcast live from St Mary's Stadium by TNT Sports in the UK, with kick-off scheduled for 12:30 BST.

You can also join us on MUTV, in the United App and on ManUtd.com from 11:25 BST for exclusive pre-match interviews and analysis.

We'll then have live radio commentary throughout the game, along with updates, opinion and interactive content across the app and website. Stay with us across our channels after the final whistle for post-match reaction, as we look through the afternoon's key moments.

Those pivotal events will then be available to watch with short match highlights at 17:15 BST, before the extended 90 in 20 and Full 90 cuts follow on Sunday.