Manchester United VS Southampton
Saturday (30/12/2017)
18:30 (WAT)
Manchester United will be hoping to end a poor run when they line up against Southampton on Saturday, after going three games without a win in all competitions.Saturday (30/12/2017)
18:30 (WAT)
Jose Mourinho's side needed a stoppage-time goal from Jesse Lingard to rescue a point against Burnley in a 2-2 draw on Boxing Day.
That draw followed on from a stalemate with Leicester City and defeat to Bristol City in the Carabao Cup, with their Premier League title hopes now in tatters as they trail leaders Manchester City by 15 points.
Yet Southampton are also in a slump and have not tasted victory since a 4-1 win over Everton on November 26.
Saints were thrashed 5-2 by Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday, a result that leaves them just two points above the relegation zone and in need of improvement.
Team News
United have injury problems in defence with Eric Bailly still out and Antonio Valencia, Chris Smalling and Matteo Darmian also doubts, according to the club's official website.
Marcos Rojo is available for selection, but midfielders Michael Carrick and Marouane Fellaini remain sidelined.
However, Anthony Martial should be available after missing the Burnley clash, after he was pictured in training.
Southampton, meanwhile, will be without Virgil van Dijk after he agreed to join Liverpool in a deal worth £75 million, per BBC Sport.
Manager Mauricio Pellegrino will also be without striker Charlie Austin, who is serving a three-match suspension for violent conduct, per Tom Farmery at MailOnline.
Preview
Mourinho has decisions to make for Saturday's clash with his side out of form and now just one point above Chelsea in second place.
The United boss started with strikers Romelu Lukaku and Zlatan Ibrahimovic against Burnley. However, the one bright spot in United's recent poor run has been the form of Jesse Lingard, who has stepped up and contributed six goals and two assists in his last seven appearances.
United also need to tight up defensively as they have conceded six goals in their last three games.
United are clearly feeling the loss of Bailly and Valencia and look vulnerable defensively, but they will be facing a team that is also on an awful run.
Van Dijk's sale means Southampton will have the finances to be able to strengthen their squad in January, but before then an improvement in attitude will be needed to get anything out of their trip to Old Trafford.
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