Claude Puel has confirmed that Ryan Bertrand will again be absent when Southampton visit Manchester United on Friday.

The defender missed last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Watford on the opening day of the Premier League season, and will remain sidelined for the trip to Old Trafford.

Puel told Southampton’s official YouTube channel: "Ryan will be injured. He cannot make training sessions this week and for the moment it's important to resolve his problem.

"It is not a big injury, but it's not possible to see him on the pitch.”

Bertrand is the only definite absentee, with skipper José Fonte in contention to start, having been a substitute against Watford, following his later return in the summer, due to his involvement in Portugal’s European Championship-winning team.

"José has made good training sessions and we will see for Manchester if he can keep his place or not,” said Puel.

"José, the same as [Maya] Yoshida or [Virgil] van Dijk, make good training and it is interesting for the team to have good players for this position."



