Erik ten Hag has new Joshua Zirkzee plan after latest Man United injury setback

Manchester United are again having to deal with injury issues after suffering a huge number of problems last season.

Erik ten Hag's squad currently have six first-team players out of action with new signing Leny Yoro among them. One player who was set to return after the international break was striker Rasmus Hojlund who picked up a thigh injury during pre-season.

But reports via ESPN have now claimed that the Norwegian may not return against Southampton on Saturday as expected. It is said that United do not want to rush the 21-year-old's comeback after he suffered a recurrence of a previous problem.

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Hojlund will be assessed ahead of the trip to St Mary's but his potential exclusion leaves Ten Hag with a new plan over the next few weeks involving Joshua Zirkzee. The 23-year-old has had a mixed start to life at Old Trafford.

Zirkzee netted United's winning goal on his debut against Fulham before denying one after being caught offside in bizarre fashion during the 2-1 defeat at Brighton. And the Dutch striker could now play a crucial role for Ten Hag's side with Hojlund facing a longer spell on the sidelines.

Ten Hag has frequently played Bruno Fernandes as a false nine with the tactic effectively used in May's FA Cup final win. But with Mason Mount out injured, Fernandes will likely have to drop into midfield, leaving the need to play Zirkzee up front.

It's one of the reasons why the Netherlands striker was brought in. Hojlund spent large stretches of last season out injured with United having no other strikers to fill in.

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