Ronald Koeman insists Southampton will not sell Victor Wanyama or Sadio Mané

Victor Wanyama was conspicuous by his absence from Southampton’s travelling party for their Europa League tie in Denmark. The 24-year-old midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur to join up again with his former Saints manager Mauricio Pochettino.

The current manager Ronald Koeman reiterated that neither Wanyama nor the reported Manchester United target Sadio Mané will be sold before the transfer window closes on Tuesday, with the Senegalese also a doubt for Thursday night’s play-off tie against Midtjylland.

But Koeman insisted Wanyama was left behind on doctor’s advice and it is understood he also visited a local hospital for a second opinion although he could be back in the team for Sunday’s Premier League fixture with Norwich City.

“Victor Wanyama wasn’t travelling with the team because from yesterday on he was ill,” Koeman said. “The latest update of the doctor this afternoon is that he had a stomach infection. I hope he will be available for the weekend but we have to wait.”

Mané became a target for Manchester Unitedafter they claimed to have ended their interest in Pedro, who instead left Barcelona for Chelsea, but Southampton have said he will remain at the club and he could play some part against Midtjylland despite being forced off in Sunday’s goalless draw at Watford with a hip injury.

“We have to wait, yesterday he didn’t train,” Koeman replied when asked if Mané would be fit. “The first part of the session on Wednesday he will be separated from the group. Then we will see if he is available for tomorrow. We have a good hope, but we have to wait.”

Koeman was riled by perceived time-wasting by the Danish Super Liga champions in last week’s first leg, which ended 1-1 after Jay Rodriguez levelled the tie from the penalty spot. He revealed he will set out his side to attack from the start at the MCH Arena on Thursday, knowing Southampton need to score to retain any hope of reaching the group stages.

“We know how they play,” he added. “We know what the strengths are of the team but one thing we know is we have to score. We can’t defend the result we have to go for it and we will go for it. That means we have to win the game or to draw the game by more than 1-1.”