Rasmus could come marching back in for vital clash with Saints

“WE have to see how it develops and how we can progress during the break, to get match fit,” said Erik ten Hag about Rasmus Hojlund before United’s last game.

- STEVEN RAILSTON

“He returned on the pitch but it will take a while before he is up. Everyone has seen, it [the injury] happens in the first game [pre-season tour], so he needs also to build some fitness.”

Around 30 minutes after Ten Hag’s press conference, Hojlund drove out of Carrington, wearing sunglasses in his Range Rover, and stopped for autographs and photos.

“I pulled my hamstring but I’m okay now,” said Hojlund when a small child who was wearing a United replica with his name and number asked why he hadn’t played this season.

Hojlund has returned to training on the grass at Carrington, which usually indicates a return to full training is around two weeks away and that is excellent news for United, who have sorely missed his presence in attack in the opening few games of the new Premier League season.

Bruno Fernandes has been used as a false nine and Joshua Zirkzee started down the middle against Liverpool but Hojlund is a natural centre-forward and is more effective in that role.