Southampton v Manchester United - Preview and possible lineups

TEAM NEWS: 

Southampton:

Mark Hughes side has been woeful this season. They sit third from bottom in the standings, with just eight points from a possible 39, with  four of their six home matches this season resulting in low scoring draws.

Indeed, even if the manager somehow orchestrates an unlikely victory this weekend, the 'Saints' board are fast losing patience with the Welshman, with Portuguese Paulo Sousa being touted to replace him. 

Nonetheless, Southampton  may fancy themselves to pull off a shock victory against an underperforming Manchester United side. 

Regarding absentees for this fixture; striker Danny Ings (hamstring) faces a late fitness test, while Sam Gallagher and Shane Long remain sidelined. 

Manchester United: 

In spite of qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League in midweek, Manchester United have been far from their best for the entirety of the campaign so far. 

Jose Mourinho's men have especially faltered in the Premier League; they sit seven points adrift of the top four, with just three wins in their last eight league matches. 

Given that, United are unbeaten in their last seven visits to St Mary's, with five wins and juts two draws during that time.

In terms of casualties for this clash; the 'Red Devils' will have to do without long term absentees Victor Lindelof (thigh) and Alexis Sanchez (hamstring), but they have the option to recall Diogo Dalot and Marcos Rojo as the pair have recovered from training ground knocks.

PRE-MATCH MUSINGS...

Hughes on the tough task ahead:

"We've got to be versatile, we've got to be flexible in terms of how we go up against teams, because every team gives you different problems. It's just given me food for thought. I think we need to keep our options open and go with what we feel will most affect Man United adversely."

"United, obviously, with the resource they've got, have been able to acquire lots of very, very good players... When they're not quite where they need to be, they've still got that element of individual talent that can win games..."

"But we were solid the other night – we were up against good quality players in the likes of Vardy, and we dealt with him, so it will be a similar level of player we face at the weekend and we've just got to do more of the same."

Mourinho on 'Reds' recent form and ongoing tasks: 

"Nobody can complain about our mentality and the desire in the last part of the game [against Young Boys]. I don't think many teams — domestic or abroad — win so many points in extra time."

"In December we can focus just on the Premier League."

"We need points. We want to improve our position in the table, we want to close the gap to the top four, we want to be smelling those positions."

FORM GUIDE: 

DID YOU KNOW?

Southampton have only won one game all season, the lowest tally in the entire division. 

Since Jose Mourinho took over United, only Southampton have drawn more Premier League games, with a tally comparison of 15 to the Portuguese' 10.

The 'Saints' have lost more points  from winning positions (10) than any other side this season. 

POSSIBLE LINEUPS:

Southampton:McCarthy; Cedric, Yoshida, Hoedt, Targett; Lemina, Hojbjerg; Ward-Prowse, Armstrong, Redmond; Austin

Manchester United: De Gea; Young, Smalling, Jones, Shaw; Fellaini, Matic, Pogba; Lingard, Lukaku, Martial