Manchester United will be without Rasmus Hojlund when they kick off their Premier League campaign against Wolves tonight, as one of six injury worries.
The game comes too soon for the £72million striker, who arrived from Atalanta with a minor back injury.
Hojlund, 20, began training with his new club on Wednesday as he looks to ramp up his fitness levels in the coming weeks.
Erik ten Hag said ahead of the game: “He had a small issue and he’s not on the levels where our players are in this moment, so we have to train him. Prognosis [is] difficult to say. We are confident and we are positive.”
Marcus Rashford is set to start up front in his absence with Alejandro Garnacho the likely candidate to play on the left wing against Wolves, following a fine performance against Lens in pre-season.
Jadon Sancho operated as a false nine in some friendlies but will have to make do with a spot on the bench.
Likewise, Christian Eriksen’s place in the team appears to have gone to Mason Mount as the £65m arrival looks to form a midfield partnership with Casemiro.
Diogo Dalot should be preferred to Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back and Andre Onana will make his competitive debut in goal. Ten Hag has insisted that Harry Maguire is “of course” available despite reports of a £30m move to West Ham being imminent.
United will be without Tyrell Malacia, Dean Henderson and Anthony Martial, who both missed pre-season in its entirety due to injury, along with unavailable youngsters Kobbie Mainoo and Amad Diallo.
Ten Hag added: “Malacia will take some time, same as Amad and Kobbie, they are impact injuries, all the others like Henderson, Hojlund, quite short notice but that is the definition of it, will take a few weeks.”
Predicted Man Utd XI: Onana; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mount; Antony, Fernandes, Garnacho; Rashford
Injuries: Martial, Malacia, Amad, Mainoo, Hojlund, Henderson
Doubts: None
Time and date: 8pm, Monday August 14, 2023
Venue: Old Trafford
