Is Rasmus Hojlund fit to play for Manchester United this weekend? The striker hopes to end the injury hell against Southampton

Rasmus Hojlund faces a race against time to complete his return from injury when Manchester United take on Southampton this weekend.

The Danish striker He has yet to play a single minute during his second season at Old Trafford after suffering a hamstring problem in July.

Hojlund has been forced to watch United's shaky start to the season after Limping after a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal in preseason.

In his absence, Erik the HagManchester City have managed to score just two Premier League goals in their three games, winning just once.

His frustrating stop-start journey in England continues, with Hojlund also having to wait out the opening weeks of last season after arriving with a back injury from Atalanta.

The 21-year-old then suffered a hamstring strain and other muscular problems that hampered his progress at the club.

Man United Fans had been told the striker's latest fitness problem would disappear after the international break.

Will Hojlund return against Southampton?

The Denmark international has a chance to return against the Saints, live on talkSPORT, but could yet miss out.

Hojlund was ruled out of action due to six weeks following his injury during the Red Devils' 2-1 pre-season defeat to Arsenal at the end of July.

United opened the scoring with Höjlund's well-taken goal before being taken off moments later with a hamstring problem.

He missed the opening 1-0 Champions League win over Fulham, as well as successive defeats to Brighton and Liverpool before the break.

According ESPNHojlund will be assessed again this week ahead of the trip to the south coast, but he will not be pushed too soon.

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United are said to be taking a cautious approach to Hojlund's rehabilitation due to his lack of minutes to improve his fitness this summer.

The club plans to gradually bring their £72m player back, even if it means spending more time on the sidelines to avoid further injuries.

Hojlund has completed individual sessions at Carrington but is awaiting the green light to rejoin team training.

This could mean the Southampton clash comes too soon and the visit to Selhurst Park on September 21 could be a more realistic return date.

Instead, Joshua Zirkzee He is likely to take his place, with Bruno Fernandes operating as a false number 9 either side of Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho another potential option.