Ralf Rangnick has provided an update on the Manchester United squad, ahead of Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off with Southampton at Old Trafford.
The German could welcome Alex Telles back into the team after he was ruled out of the game against Burnley after testing positive for COVID-19. However, on top of that, Telles’ compatriot Fred is still isolating with the virus.
Eric Bailly is still struggling with a swollen ankle after the African Cup of Nations, while Nemanja Matic has a shin issue, which means both players will be sidelined over the weekend.
“Alex resumed training yesterday. He might be available, I’ll have to speak to him after training today about how he feels because he was out for one and a half, almost two weeks but he took part in training yesterday,” Rangnick told ManUtd.com.
“The three players who will not be available tomorrow are still Eric Bailly, Fred, obviously because he was still testing positive, and Nemanja Matic. He has some problems with his shin.
“He has been having these problems for the last couple of days, almost a week. He was still available, but he couldn’t train for the last two training sessions and he also won’t be training today. Those are the three players that are not available for the game tomorrow.”
At least Rangnick isn’t short for options — maybe in midfield — but we have a squad more than capable of getting a positive result versus the Saints, which is something Tottenham Hotspur were not able to do on Wednesday night.
Southampton will be without goalkeeper Alex McCarthy and defender Lyanco for the trip to Old Trafford.
