Manchester United travel to the south coast on Saturday to face Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Southampton at St Mary’s to kick things off in game week four of the Premier League.
The Saints come into the game on a two-game winning streak, having beaten League One Cambridge United in the second round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, as well as tasting victory for the first time in the league last weekend, with Che Adams’ brace enough to hand them a win over Leicester City.
As for the visitors, their tales will be up too after beating arch-rivals Liverpool on Monday night at Old Trafford in what was a highly impressive performance from United.
United ran 113.78km in that game, which boss Erik ten Hag will certainly take encouragement from ahead of Saturday’s clash.
Team News
Ralph Hasenhuttl provided a huge fitness boost for his side earlier on Thursday after confirming left back Romain Perraud could be in contention to return to the squad.
Perraud missed the opening three league games of the season and was unable to reach full fitness for the cup victory over Cambridge.
With full-back Tino Livramento facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to an ACL injury, winger Moussa Djenepo has had to fill in at left-back, though the return to Perraud could allow the Malian to return to his more natural left-wing position.
No new injuries are apparent for United too.
Brandon Williams, a player who Hasenhuttl has been interested in the past, was spotted leaving Old Trafford in a leg boot on Monday night.
He still faces a long road ahead to recovery.
Anthony Martial came on as a second-half substitute against Liverpool.
The striker missed the opening two defeats of the season to Brighton and Brentford, but there is a big chance the Frenchman could lead the line on Saturday after starring on his return to the side.
Likely line-ups
Southampton (3-4-3):
Bazunu; Bella-Kotchap, Bednarek, Salisu; Walker-Peters, Ward-Prowse, Lavia, Perraud; Armstrong, Adams, Djenepo
Manchester United (4-3-3):
De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Malacia; Fernandes, Casemiro, Eriksen; Sancho, Martial, Rashford
Key Players
Southampton – Che Adams
Having netted four times in the Saints’ previous two games, Adams will surely play a part should Hasenhuttl’s side score.
The striker scored eight times in all competitions last season, contributing to three assists.
In the last fixture between these two sides in February at Old Trafford last season, Adams’ 48th-minute equaliser cancelled out Jadon Sancho’s early goal.
Manchester United – Marcus Rashford
Having been heavily scrutinised for a long period of time, Rashford’s goal on Monday night vs Liverpool will have acted as a confidence booster for the 24-year-old.
United’s number 10 played as a lone striker for the first half in that game, causing centre-backs Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez problems with his explosive burst of pace and runs in behind.
Questions have been asked of Rashford’s work rate and effort as of late, but against Liverpool, the England international boasted 23 sprints in 90 minutes, ranking first amongst the others on the pitch.
Should that form be brought into Saturday’s fixture, he could prove to be a handful for the Southampton defenders.
Match details
The fixture is being played at the St Mary’s Stadium, the home of Southampton. Kick-off is at 12:30pm BST, with the game live on BT Sport 1 and Ultimate in the UK.
