Three Manchester United players who could return vs Southampton to give Erik ten Hag huge boost

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag could welcome Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw and Rasmus Hojlund back into the equation for Saturday's trip to St Mary's to face Southampton.

Lindelof has been absent for United so far this season, last appearing in their final pre-season friendly of the summer against Liverpool in South Carolina a little over five weeks ago. He played in just two halves during pre-season and is a player United, in an ideal world, would have liked to have sold during the summer.

He has been nursing a toe injury in recent weeks, but it was not expected the issue would sideline him for too long, meaning it is possible he could return this weekend.

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Speaking ahead of last month's 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion, Ten Hag said of Lindelof: "He has an issue on his toe, hopefully he can return quickly, but not available."

Having also missed the clash with Liverpool, it is possible the international break will have bought him more time to recover, in anticipation of being available for selection for this weekend. United, however, are currently well-stocked at centre-back, meaning he faces an uphill struggle to even make the bench.

Fellow defender Shaw has also played no part for United so far this season, last appearing for the club back in February. After representing England in the latter stages of the European Championship, it was expected he would return to Carrington fit and raring to go for the new campaign.

However, just three days before their Premier League opener against Fulham, United confirmed he had encountered a calf