Southampton host Manchester United on Saturday at lunchtime at St. Mary’s. The Red Devils have crashed back to earth following their opening day 4-0 win over Chelsea by picking up just one point from their last six possible. Manchester United drew 1-1 with Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineaux prior to losing to Crystal Palace 2-1 at Old Trafford.
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will hope Manchester United can get back on track against Southampton. The Saints have won just once in three tries and sit in the bottom three on three points.
Ralph Hassenhuttl’s side is coming off of a victory against Brighton, 2-0. The Austrian will hope his team can continue gaining points when the Red Devils come to town.
Manchester United injuries could take their toll
Manchester United go into the game with five players listed as injured for Saturday’s match. The most significant is that of striker Anthony Martial. The Frenchman has started the season well and is revelling in his new more central role.
Martial has tallied two goals and an assist in three matches. However, a thigh injury has Martial ruled out for Saturday’s match. Solskjaer and Manchester Unitedwill be light up top without Martial with Marcus Rashford the obvious player to assume the central striker position.
Manchester United allowed Romelu Lukaku to leave in the summer for Inter Milan without replacing him. Mason Greenwood is expected to get plenty of playing time this term and has appeared in three Premier League matches already. Greenwood has only accumulated 32 minutes, however.
Luke Shaw has also been ruled out of Saturday’s fixture. Ashley Young will most likely take his place in the side. Both Martial and Shaw are expected to be fit once the international break ends.
Diogo Dalot is injured and ruled out for the fixture as well.
Southampton injuries for Manchester United’s arrival
Hassenhuttl has several players out with injuries as well. Influential winger Nathan Redmond is ruled out through injury. Meanwhile, Ryan Bertrand is expected to play. Michael Obafemi will undergo a late fitness test.
After losing their first two matches of the season, Southampton won a week ago against Brighton 2-0. The Saints have scored just three times this term while conceding five times.
Manchester United are undefeated in their last seven matches against Southampton in all competitions. Southampton have not defeated Manchester United since 2016. On that occasion, the Saints won at Old Trafford 1-0.
