Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte has revealed that he played through an illness in Uruguay's recent World Cup qualifier against Venezuela.
Still waiting to make his debut for the Red Devils, having not arrived in time to be considered for selection against Liverpool two weekends ago, Ugarte started both matches for his nation this month.
The former Paris Saint-Germain lynchpin completed 79 minutes of a goalless draw against Paraguay on September 7, before helping his nation keep another clean sheet in an identical result against Venezuela.
Ugarte completed the full 90 minutes in that match, but speaking to AUF TV after the game, the 23-year-old revealed that he was slightly under the weather before the contest.
"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," The Manchester Evening News quotes Ugarte as saying.
Could Ugarte be a doubt for Southampton clash?
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While medical staff will no doubt need to assess Ugarte - and all of their internationals - in the coming hours, there is nothing to suggest that Ugarte's illness will be serious enough to prevent him from turning out at St Mary's.
The South American completed a £42.2m move to Old Trafford from PSG on deadline day, but as Man United did not get the deal over the line before the 12pm registration cut-off point, he was ineligible for the visit of Liverpool.
Ugarte was still in good spirits as he was presented to the Theatre of Dreams faithful, who then witnessed their team torn to shreds in a 3-0 loss to their Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz-inspired rivals.
Casemiro - the man whom Ugarte has been tipped to succeed - was at fault for both of Diaz's first goals and was taken off by half time at Erik ten Hag, who could now drop the Brazilian in favour of Ugarte for Saturday's lunchtime kickoff.
The former Sporting Lisbon midfielder registered three assists in 37 appearances for PSG during his only season in the French capital, although Ten Hag admitted after the loss to Liverpool that he could take "months" to get up to full speed at Man United.
How is the rest of Man United's squad shaping up?
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Despite Ten Hag's admission, Man United cannot wait "months" for Ugarte to fully find his feet at Old Trafford if Casemiro's display against Liverpool is anything to go by, and the sooner he is integrated into the ranks the better.
The Red Devils are already guaranteed to be without four of their troops for the trip to St Mary's including Ugarte's fellow new signing Leny Yoro, who faces a few more weeks out with a foot fracture.
Rasmus Hojlund (hamstring), Tyrell Malacia (knee) and Mason Mount (thigh) are also out of contention for Man United, while Luke Shaw (calf) and Victor Lindelof (ankle) both need further assessment.
Meanwhile, club captain Bruno Fernandes was seen with an ice pack after being taken off in Portugal's 2-1 win over Scotland, but the playmaker downplayed that issue as a "little bump".
With just three points from their opening three top-flight games of the new season, Man United lie 14th in the Premier League table at this early stage.
Ben Knapton
