Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag is expecting to have Harry Maguire available for selection in Monday's Premier League clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils have allegedly agreed a £30m deal with West Ham United for Maguire, but there have been rumours that the defender is having second thoughts over a switch to the London Stadium.
The 30-year-old is behind Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof in the pecking order for the roles in the middle of the defence, so he would not have been considered to start against Wolves even if there had been no speculation surrounding his future.
However, speaking during his press conference on Friday afternoon, Ten Hag said "of course" when asked whether the England international would be available for the team's season opener.
The Dutchman also opened up on the injury issues in the squad, with Tyrell Malacia, Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo, Dean Henderson, Rasmus Hojlund and Tom Heaton all out of action.
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"Some issues you mention from last season, like Malacia; he came to pre-season with an issue," Ten Hag told reporters when addressing the injury situation at the club.
"We had 30 players on tour who were really fit and disappointment about Amad and disappointment about Kobbie [Mainoo] absolutely.
"But that's what happens when you go to the limits. Injuries are not avoidable but we have a strong squad and from there on we can pick a really strong team. And you see the two games last weekend of two teams, two strong sides.
"You go specific (about injuries): Malacia will take some time, same as Amad and Kobbie, they are impact injuries. All the others like Henderson, Hojlund, quite short notice but what is the definition of it, but it will take a few weeks."
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Hojlund is currently training separately at Carrington due to a minor back problem, which will keep the new signing out in the early weeks of the campaign.
However, Ten Hag insisted on Friday that there is no real concern when it comes to the injury, with the Denmark international potentially being available before the end of the month.
"So as we said previously, he had a small issue and he's not on the levels where our players are at in this moment," Ten Hag added.
"So we have to train him. Prognosis [is] difficult always to say. We are confident and we are positive."
Man United rounded off their preparations for the new season with two friendlies last weekend, beating Lens 3-1 at Old Trafford before drawing 1-1 with Athletic Bilbao in Dublin.
Matt Law
