Erik ten Hag has held his press conference ahead of Manchester United’s Premier League clash with Southampton.
He was asked for a team news update after the sensational win over Liverpool and gave news on the fitness of Anthony Martial and Casemiro.
The Dutchman was also asked about the futures of Phil Jones, Axel Tuanzebe and Brandon Williams, as it is quite clear they are not in his plans.
But he suggested that United would not be able to find suitors for them in the transfer market during the closing weeks of the window.
Erik ten Hag press conference ahead of Southampton clash
When asked what the situation is with Anthony Martial and Casemiro’s fitness, the Dutchman said: “Casemiro is fit, yeah. He did all the training sessions.
“He trained individually and in the last days he trained with the team. Anthony came out with a problem with his Achilles, out of the game.
“We have to wait. I cannot tell a prognosis, how long it takes. I hope he will be fit for the next game.”
When asked about defensive trio Jones, Williams and Tuanzebe in the wake of Eric Bailly’s loan exit to Marseille, he said: “It can be, but the players you are talking about are not available, so I don’t think they will go out in this window.”
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One issue United have had is getting rid of players who are not in the manager’s plans and it seems that that will endure into the current regime.
Ten Hag is suggesting that it is because those players are not yet fit, and with Jones in particular, this is a familiar problem.
But there is considerable excitement about seeing Casemiro in a United shirt and it is to be hoped he is fit to start the game at St Mary’s.