PREVIEW: Southampton vs Manchester United – 23/09/17
Southampton vs. Manchester United
Date: 23/09/17
K.O: 15.00pm
Southampton play host to Manchester United on Saturday, with both sides looking to add a valuable three points to their campaigns in this contest at St Mary’s.
Team News:
Virgil Van Dijk could be in line to make his first start in eight months against United, following continued transfer speculation over his future this summer.
Prior to that he had been unavailable due to a serious foot injury in January, although he did make a brief appearance against Crystal Palace last weekend.
Matt Target is a doubt with an ankle problem, but Pierre-Emile Hojberg is back in contention after missing last week’s game due to the birth of his daughter.
Paul Pogba and Marcos Rojo are United’s major absentees, Pogba is expected to be out for at least two months after tearing his hamstring in United’s Champions League game against Basel.
Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial have both been in impressive form recently, and they will again be battling it out for a starting spot on the left flank. Axel Tuanzebe is still pout with a back problem, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic is still in rehabilitation from a knee ligament injury.
United have made a very accomplished start to the season, even if last week’s 4-0 scoreline against Everton flattered them. Only City have been able to keep up with them thus far, and we can expect a relatively comfortable away win in this match.
Southampton’s 1-0 win over struggling Crystal Palace has put them in a commendable 9th place, but they will struggle to get anything from United team well equipped for any away game.
Written by Sam Thomas.