How Manchester United could line up against Southampton

Manchester United welcome Southampton to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon, aiming to improve on a disappointing recent record against the Saints.

Since Sir Alex Ferguson retired at the end of the 2012-13 season, Southampton have lost just one of their five away meetings with United in the Premier League.

The Red Devils will need to put that right this weekend if they are to maintain their forward momentum and keep pace with top-four rivals Arsenal, whom they face next week, four days after a trip to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

Before those difficult away matches is this home meeting with Southampton, and Sports Mole has taken a look at how United could line up against the Premier League strugglers.

Out: Nemanja Matic (muscle), Antonio Valencia (muscle), Ander Herrera (hamstring), Juan Mata (hamstring), Jesse Lingard (hamstring) Doubtful: Anthony Martial (groin), Matteo Darmian (groin), Phil Jones (illness)

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United were expected to be without 10 first-team players for their midweek trip to Crystal Palace, but Marcus Rashford and Marcos Rojo recovered in time to be named in the 18-man squad.

Rashford even made it onto the field and is now expected to return to the starting lineup against Southampton.

It is unlikely that Rashford's return will coincide with Romelu Lukaku - the scorer of two goals in the 3-1 win at Selhurst Park - dropping out, so a 4-3-3 is expected.

Alexis Sanchez failed to impress during his rare start last time out, as was the case with midfield man Fred, but a lack of other options means that the Chilean forward may well retain his place on the left of the front three.

The loss of key men to injury has proved to be a blessing for Scott McTominay, who is enjoying a run in the side, and he could be joined by another fringe player in Andreas Pereira on Saturday.