Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim says Rasmus Hojlund is available to face Grimsby in the Carabao Cup despite seemingly heading for the Old Trafford exit.
Hojlund was absent from the United squad for their opening two Premier League matches of the season amid speculation linking him with a move to Napoli.
The 22-year-old Dane’s days at United look numbered following the big-money arrivals of Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo this summer.
However, when quizzed whether Hojlund could figure in Wednesday night’s trip to Blundell Park, Amorim said: “All the players are available. Then we will make the choice to try to get the best starting XI to win the game.”
United have picked up just one point from their opening two Premier League matches, a defeat at home to Arsenal and Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Fulham.
Amorim admitted he will shuffle his pack against the Sky Bet League Two Mariners.
“We have three games this week,” he added. “We have quality players and we have to rotate to try to win every game.”
Moroccan defender Noussair Mazraoui is not ready to return, but is edging closer to fitness.
The 27-year-old missed most of United’s pre-season fixtures after picking up a thigh injury.
“Maybe he’s going to return next week,” added Amorim. “We are just finishing some drills with him to make sure he’s not going to have another problem.”
Crystal Palace have expressed an interest to Manchester City in defender Manuel Akanji but have not yet lodged an official bid, RTÉ Sport understands.
Palace’s interest in Switzerland international Akanji (above) comes amid continued speculation that England centre-back Marc Guehi could leave the Eagles in the final days of the summer transfer window.
Reports have suggested Palace would pay £15million (€17m) for Akanji, but it is understood no firm bid has been made at this stage.
Akanji (30) joined City from Borussia Dortmund in September 2022 and was a key component of the side which won the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup treble in 2023, and the team which won the domestic title again in 2024.
Guehi continues to be linked with a move away from Selhurst Park with Liverpool among the clubs who have pursued him this summer.
Palace completed the sale of England midfielder Eberechi Eze to Arsenal last week.
The signings of Walter Benitez from PSV Eindhoven and Borna Sosa from Ajax are the only two arrivals at Palace so far this summer.
Hamza Igamane could be on his way out of Ibrox
Hamza Igamane’s Rangers future was further cast into doubt after he sat out training ahead of the Champions League play-off against Club Brugge (Live on RTÉ2/Player).
There was no sign of the Morocco striker two days after he reported an injury just as head coach Russell Martin asked him to get ready to come off the bench against St Mirren.
Martin appeared to be unconvinced over whether Igamane was injured and transfer speculation has intensified since the incident.
Lille are reported to have reopened talks with Rangers over a move for the 22-year-old, who has also been linked with a potential switch to Feyenoord.
Martin, speaking in his media conference after Sunday’s 1-1 draw with St Mirren, said: “I wanted to bring him on around 60 minutes, and he said he has a sore quad so he can’t come on. He wouldn’t be on the bench if he’s not fit. So he said he’d done it warming up.
“We turned down a bid this week, but we’ll assess his injury and I have to trust Hamza so we’ll see what happens. As a human being I have to trust that he has done it in the warm up like he said and we’ll see.”
When asked earlier on Sky Sports if Igamane had refused to play, Martin said: “I don’t know. I have to trust him, but we’ll see.”
Igamane hit 16 goals in his debut season at Ibrox after an injury-hit start followed his move from Moroccan side AS Far, and he impressed with his touch and creativity once he got going.
However, he missed the start of pre-season training under Martin amid fitness issues and has only made three substitute appearances since.
There was better news on the striker front for Martin ahead of the trip to Belgium as Cyriel Dessers took part in the open part of the session at Rangers’ training ground in Milngavie.
The Nigeria international has missed the last three games, including the 3-1 first-leg defeat by Brugge, with a knee injury.
Watch Club Brugge v Rangers in the Champions League play-off round on Wednesday from 7.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player