'I feel a bit down': £42.1m United star is a big doubt to face Southampton on Saturday - View

Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte could be doubtful to face Southampton in Saturday’s early Premier League kick-off from St Mary’s.

The Red Devils have had a poor start to the top-flight campaign with three points from as many games and they are four points behind the top four.

The club can ill-afford to lose further ground at such an early stage of the season and Saturday’s fixture against the Saints appears a must-win for them.

Ugarte has been predicted to make his debut after joining from Paris Saint-Germain.

He played 79 minutes in the recent World Cup qualifier against Paraguay and went to complete the entire game versus Venezuela on the road this week.

Speaking after the 0-0 draw at the Monumental Stadium in Maturin, Ugarte admitted that he played through illness for his country and feels a bit down.

He told AUF TV (via Metro): “Now I feel a bit down but I felt fine during the match despite the heat. We always want to play to win and we are capable of playing to win.

“It was an ugly match, I think we did not play very well. Venezuela are strong in this stadium and we got a point. Knowing how the qualifiers are, which are very complicated, it is important.”

Ugarte did not have any pre-season with Paris Saint-Germain before his initial £42.1 million move to United. He was also not involved in the new campaign due to the transfer interest.

As a result, the World Cup qualifiers were his first competitive games since the Copa America third-place play-off. He managed 169 minutes for his national team.

The midfielder was in action in the early hours of Wednesday (BST time). With the short turnaround period before Saturday’s kick-off, he could be a big doubt.

United manager Erik ten Hag has already hinted that he may not rush Ugarte into the starting XI and he may require weeks or probably months to adapt to the system.

With Ugarte’s illness admission, it remains to be seen whether he makes the squad this weekend.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com