Last weekend’s 3-0 defeat to Liverpool highlighted various weaknesses within Erik ten Hag’s team that desperately need addressing ahead of the campaign resuming at Southampton.

But with several members of Manchester United’s squad flocking to various corners of the globe during this international break, Ten Hag is not going to get as much time on the training ground with the players as he would have liked.

Nevertheless, there is cautious optimism that United will have moved on from last weekend’s defeat to Arne Slot’s side when they make the long trip to St Mary’s for next Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off. On paper, it represents a golden opportunity to kickstart their season.

When the team news is announced 75 minutes before kick-off at St Mary’s, all eyes will immediately go in search of Manuel Ugarte’s name. United’s supporters will be praying Ten Hag throws him straight into the equation after Casemiro’s disastrous opening 45 minutes against Liverpool.

The base of United’s midfield has been a problem for the past 12 months, and it is hoped Ugarte’s arrival at Old Trafford will ease that particular issue. If Ten Hag elects to hand him a full debut on the south coast, it would leave Leny Yoro as the only member of the club’s summer intake yet to make his competitive debut, with the Frenchman still sidelined through injury.

Once he recovers from his fractured metatarsal, Yoro will enter what is already a competitive battle to win a place at centre-back. United wanted to sign two centre-backs during the summer window and Matthijs de Ligt was drafted in a few weeks after Yoro.

The Dutchman is considered Lisandro Martinez’s first-choice partner for the here and now, meaning Yoro will be competing with Harry Maguire for a place on the bench. Elsewhere in the defensive department, United are patiently awaiting the return of Luke Shaw after another spell on the treatment table.

Once he gets back up to speed and reclaims the left-back spot, Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui will be competing for the right-back spot. The latter has made a solid start to his United career but it feels inevitable that Dalot will remain first-choice right-back.

Following the addition of Ugarte, United’s strongest midfield picks itself, with the Uruguayan teaming up with Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes in the centre. Casemiro and Mason Mount are likely to provide the first line of midfield cover, supported by the likes of Christian Eriksen and Toby Collyer.

As far as the attack is concerned, Rasmus Hojlund must start once he is back up to full fitness. He scored 16 goals last season and his presence has been missed so far this term.

Marcus Rashford has started each of United’s first four matches this season, but supporters are showing frustration at his displays, so much so there have been increased calls for Alejandro Garnacho and Amad to become Ten Hag’s first-choice wide options.

That would likely get the seal of approval from United’s fans, who want to see a little bit more dynamism on the flanks. Garnacho has started just once so far this season and Amad carried a threat after his introduction against Liverpool.

Should those two become United’s first-choice options out wide, Rashford would have to settle for a place on the bench, joining fellow attackers Joshua Zirkzee and Antony. The latter has barely featured so far this season, making just one substitute appearance.

Other options on the bench would include Altay Bayindir, who would provide support for Andre Onana, Collyer, Mount, Yoro, Mazraoui and Casemiro. It means, however, there would not be a place for the likes of Victor Lindelof and Eriksen, both of whom are now in the final year of their contracts at Old Trafford.

What is clear, however, is that the returns of Yoro, Shaw, Mount and Hojlund, plus the introduction of Ugarte, will give United a much stronger and well-rounded look.

United’s strongest 20-man matchday squad

Starting XI: Onana; Dalot, De Ligt, Martinez, Shaw; Ugarte, Mainoo, Fernandes; Amad, Hojlund, Garnacho.

Substitutes: Bayindir, Mazraoui, Yoro, Collyer, Casemiro, Mount, Antony, Rashford, Zirkzee.