Manuel Ugarte issues fitness update ahead of possible Manchester United debut

Manuel Ugarte has issued an update on his fitness ahead of Manchester United’s trip to Southampton.

Ugarte could make his United debut on the south coast on Saturday following his £51 million move from Paris Saint-Germain on Deadline Day.

The 23-year-old wasn’t registered in time to play in the 3-0 defeat to Liverpool, but is now available and built up his fitness while playing for Uruguay during the international break.

Ugarte was substituted in the 79th minute of his country’s 0-0 World Cup qualifying draw with Paraguay on Saturday and played the entirety of the goalless draw at Venezuela on Tuesday.

He was a late doubt for the Venezuela game after struggling with illness in the build-up, but afterwards told AUF TV: “Now I feel a bit down but I felt fine during the match despite the heat.

“Yesterday I had a bit of a fever but we drew and got a point.”

Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag may opt to throw his new recruit straight in when the Premier League resumes on Saturday.

Ten Hag hooked midfielder Casemiro at half-time of the defeat to Liverpool and may be convinced he is now ready to play after initially suggesting he could be eased into action.

“If you see Manuel Ugarte, he didn’t play so far in the season,” Ten Hag said. “Not one match minute.

“So he needs to build his fitness and then we have to build him in the team and I’m sure he’ll be an important player. But that will take a couple of weeks, maybe even months.”