Premier League 2017/18 - Southampton Vs Manchester United: Who should start for United
Manchester United are back in action, with their Premier League away match against Southampton.
Jose Mourinho rotated his squad in the Carabao Cup game against Burton Albion. There were 9 changes to the team, with only Rashford and Mata retaining their place in the team.
It was more about giving rest to some players and using the full depth of the squad.
United played extremely well and won the match 4-1.
However, they conceded their first goal at home to the visiting team in the dying seconds of the game.
But, now it is time to focus back on the Premier League, in a bid to get all three points this weekend.
United have a good record versus Southampton, having won 5, drawn 3 and lost just twice in their last 10 encounters (home and away).
Mourinho's side lost these 2 games by a margin of 0-1, both, at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils have scored 20 times in their last 10 visits to St. Mary's Stadium (across all competitions).
One needs to go back to 31st August 2003, when Southampton were able to defeat Manchester United at St. Mary's Stadium.
With the kind of form United are in, they can win this away game yet again.
Here is the expected lineup for today's game:
David De Gea - He was rested for the Burton Albion game and should start again in Premier League.
Although Mourinho has maintained a stand that no goalkeeper is exclusive to a competition, a return for David De Gea looks likely.
Antonio Valencia - Just like the rest of team members, got a well-deserved rest.
Valencia is physically very strong but needs rest to avoid injuries or exhaustion.
Eric Bailly - Bailly was rested for the last game and there is no reason that is going to keep him out of this game.
Bailly has adapted to both Premier League and European games. It will be interesting if he will start against CSKA Moscow as well.
Phil Jones - Should return to the side along with his defensive partner Bailly. He will require rest as the season progresses to avoid injuries.
Ashley Young - Should start at the LB position, he is on the wrong side of his 30s, but still has something to offer.
He was able to put crosses in the box in the last game against Everton as well.
Nemanja Matic - Matic has been the signing of the season so far with his ability to control the game in the middle.
His partnership with Pogba is going to be amazing once the latter comes back from injury.
Marouane Fellaini - Should start the match in the absence of Pogba.
Mourinho has hailed Fellaini for his contribution many times. A new improved contract may be offered to him shortly.
Juan Mata - A player that many thought was leaving Manchester United because of the arrival of Mourinho has now become indispensable.
Mata was replaced at halftime in the match against Burton Albion, giving a strong indication he would start this game.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan - He was rested for the last game, but should start the game against Southampton.
Marcus Rashford - Now this is debatable, given the form Martial and Rashford are in.
With Lukaku upfront, there is only space for one of these two.
Rashford was substituted at 64 minutes in the Carabao Cup, whereas Martial played the entire 90 minutes.
Nobody would mind Martial coming in late as a substitute and scoring another goal.
Romelu Lukaku - Should start upfront with Rashford.
He is the current leading goal scorer along with Agüero.
Given how many goals usually Manchester United score when they play away at St. Mary's Stadium, he should score a goal in this match.
Substitutes:
Sergio Romero - Should return to the bench for this game, he made a couple of good saves in the Burton Albion game. No chance for Joel Periera, who should have kept his composure in the game against Burton Albion.
Daley Blind - Luke Shaw played for 45 minutes, but as of now, the race to be the left-back is between Blind and Young.
Chris Smalling - Partnership of Jones and Bailly looks promising and Smalling will need to wait for now.
He will get his opportunities especially with so many away games coming in next couple of weeks.
Ander Herrera - The 'Player of the Season' for 2016-17 is finding it difficult to get a start this season, but he has made it clear that if he is not playing he will help the team win from the stands.
Jesse Lingard - He played really well against Burton Albion, but he has to be on the bench as of now and wait for his turn.
Michael Carrick - United's captain against Burton should be on the bench again, and is not going to get to play all the games and he knows that.
Maybe he will start the game against Crystal Palace.
Anthony Martial - Man of the match in the game in Carabao Cup, looks like it is going to be good season for him.
He seems a changed man and even the manager has accepted that. He played whole 90 minutes so should start on the bench, and could come on to wreak havoc towards the end of the game.