Manchester United will be all too aware that they can move above Manchester City in the Premier League as they prepare for today’s clash at Southampton.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side currently sit behind City in the table but can move above their fierce rivals if they beat the Saints on Sunday afternoon.
The Red Devils return to Premier League action for the first time since beating West Bromwich Albion in a 1-0 win at Old Trafford as they travel to St Mary’s to take on Ralph Hassenhuttl’s side, who are unbeaten in their past seven games in all competitions so far this season.
United battered Istanbul Basaksehir on Tuesday evening and may look to keep most of the same team in place for what could be another big game for Solskjaer.
You’d expected United to get at least something against the Saints; after all, they haven’t lost in the last nine times the two sides have met.
Here is our predicted line-up for Manchester United this afternoon.
Solskjaer could hand second-choice goalkeeper Dean Henderson his first start for his boyhood club in the Premier League amid reports that he is expected to replace David de Gea between the sticks.
It’s hard to imagine many changes to the back four, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Alex Telles and Harry Maguire likely to start. Maybe Victor Lindelof could keep his place, although there are concerns over his match fitness, so we’re backing Axel Tuanzebe to earn a recall as he has impressed in the Champions League so far this season.
Both Scott McTominay and Paul Pogba reportedly face a race against time to be declared fit to face Southampton at St Mary’s, whilst Jesse Lingard has returned to first-team training after completing a period of self-isolation.
Whilst Sunday’s game may come too soon for Pogba, it’s unlikely the Frenchman will start, which provides Solskjaer with the perfect opportunity to test Donny van de Beek.
Edinson Cavani offered very little going forwards against Istanbul in the Champions League, so switching Marcus Rashford back to the left and bringing Mason Greenwood back into the starting line-up on the right could be a shrewd move, whilst Anthony Martial is likely to lead the line.
AND in other news, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer must unleash Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek vs Southampton…