Manchester United’s new signing Rasmus Hojlund is not ready for competitive action and will miss a few games after sustaining an injury at Atalanta.
The 20-year-old joined the Red Devils in a deal worth around €85 million but will not be fit for their first Premier League game of the season on Monday.
United manager Erik ten Hag said they had to be patient with the striker, who is working on his recovery.
Ten Hag said (via Man Utd’s official website): “Of course he’s available, and he’s here, so you have the option to play, but we don’t expect him in that short notice to be 100 percent fit.
“So we have to wait some time more. We need all positions doubled because of the number of games.
“It’s difficult to say how that process will go, but I think he’s making good progress at this moment.
“We have to see day by day how the progress will go. Then we have to follow up.”
With the young striker out of action, Ten Hag will likely use Marcus Rashford up front for their opening Premier League fixtures.
It is unclear when Hojlund will be fit, but his injury does not sound too serious, and there is the possibility that he will be back in action soon.
The Dutch boss will hope they can wrap up other transfer dealings quickly. He urged the club to double up in positions and they will need to dip into the transfer market.
They are still in the market for a defensive midfielder to back up Casemiro. United have been targeting Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat.
United will also need a new central defender if Harry Maguire leaves. West Ham United have submitted an offer of around £30 million for the Englishman.
Reports from French media claim United will move for OGC Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo to replace Maguire.
