Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has ruled Rasmus Hojlund out of Saturday's Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford.
There had been suggestions that the 20-year-old, who has missed the first two games of the season against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur, was in line to make the squad this weekend.
Ten Hag said that the Denmark international will again be sidelined on Saturday, but he is getting closer to making his Red Devils debut, having been able to begin training alongside his teammates.
"Not for tomorrow. (He's) near. Today, for the first time, he came into team training so next week we expect him to do a full week of team training so he is near to the squad," said the Man United boss during his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon.
Hojlund could therefore potentially feature in Man United's fourth game of the 2023-24 Premier League campaign away to title hopefuls Arsenal next Sunday.
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The Red Devils have been hit with two fresh injury blows this week, with key duo Mason Mount and Luke Shaw both facing spells on the sidelines due to muscular issues.
"That is the situation, it's normal, top football, you got to the limits, injuries coming up, always disappointing but you have to deal with it and construct a squad. And deal with it," said Ten Hag when asked about the injuries.
"We can't do that [put a timescale], it's personal these days, they will be for some period absent where Luke will be longer than Mason."
Man United now have a problem at left-back, as Tyrell Malacia is also on the sidelines through injury, while Brandon Williams has been allowed to join Ipswich Town on a season-long loan.
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The Red Devils head coach has said that Malacia will remain out for "a few weeks", which could potentially see the club enter the transfer market for a short-term option in that area of the field.
"Will also take a few weeks before he will be back. Definitely, we have the solutions in our squad to cope with that. We thought before the season about this scenario, it could happen, you hope to avoid. But if it happens you have to be ready for it," added Ten Hag.
Diogo Dalot could potentially play at left-back against Forest, with Alvaro Fernandez, who is being heavily linked with a loan exit, also an option for that position.
Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo and Tom Heaton are also on the sidelines for the 20-time English champions in the early stages of the new campaign.
Matt Law
