Manchester United vs Southampton Match preview and expert predictions

Manchester United	vs	Southampton
	Kick off: 20:00 Date: Fri, 19-Aug-16

TEAM NEWS

Manchester United have £89m signing Paul Pogba available after he served a suspension carried over from his time at previous club Juventus.

Defender Chris Smalling is also back following a ban, while Jesse Lingard has recovered from a foot injury.
Southampton captain Jose Fonte, who has been linked with United, could feature despite missing their opener because of a late start to pre-season.
Ryan Bertrand remains injured so Matt Targett will continue at left-back.

   MANAGERS  OPINIONS 

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho: "Paul [Pogba] has been training for around 10, 11 days, adaptation is really easy because he is a boy from here, he knows the club, he knows everybody. There's no need for time to adapt.

"He needs time to build his condition and his understanding in the way the team tries to play. Yes, he's ready to play.
"Ninety minutes? I don't believe. Super performance? I don't believe. But in condition to accelerate his process of integration in the team, that's for sure."
Southampton manager Claude Puel on speculation linking Jose Fonte with United: "There is no problem with Jose, it is just strange that this rumour comes just before the game at United.
"But he is a very good professional and he has played well in training... Jose has good experience, so he cannot be disturbed by this rumour but I am just surprised to hear this before the game, two days before the match."

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Southampton have recorded 1-0 wins on each of their last two visits to Old Trafford.
• Prior to that, Saints had gone 27 years - spanning 19 league games - since their last league win away to United.
• The only team to beat Manchester United three times in a row at Old Trafford in the Premier League are Manchester City (2011-2014).

Manchester United

• The Red Devils are unbeaten at home since losing to Southampton in January, a run of 11 matches in league and cup (W8, D3).
• United conceded just nine home league goals last season - the best record in the top flight.
• Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored on his league debut in four different countries.
• United have not lost any of their previous Premier League matches on a Friday (W5, D3).

Southampton

• Saints conceded 19 league goals away from home last term - the second best record in the top flight behind Leicester, who let in 18.
• However, Southampton have conceded in 13 consecutive Premier League games, their longest run without a clean sheet since November 2012 (a run of 21).
• They scored a joint league-high 15 headed goals in the 2015-16 season (level with West Ham).
• Their two top scorers last season - Graziano Pelle and Sadio Mane - both left this summer.
• They are unbeaten in their last seven league games (W5, D2)   
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  England»Premier League - 2016/2017»

  Manchester United	vs	Southampton
  	Kick off: 20:00 Date: Fri, 19-Aug-16

  Missing Players

  Player	Reason	Status	Rating
  Bastian Schweinsteiger		Out	N/A
  Jesse Lingard		Doubtful	N/A
  Cameron Borthwick-Jackson		Doubtful	N/A

  Player	Reason	Status	Rating
  Florin Gardos		Out	N/A
  Ryan Bertrand		Out	N/A
  José Fonte		Doubtful	N/A

  Team News

  Manchester United

  • Chris Smalling and Paul Pogba are available for selection after missing the first league game of the season through suspension. Neither are likely to start against Southampton as their pre-season has been heavily disrupted. Pogba is likely to make his comeback from the bench.
  • Juan Mata was a surprise starter against Bournemouth. He scored but isn't expected to start many games under Jose Mourinho. Henrikh Mkhitaryan should get his first start as a United player at his expense. Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini impressed against Bournemouth and could retain their place.
  • Jesse Lingard and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson missed out through injury and remains a doubt. Bastian Schweinsteiger is still training with the reserves.

  Southampton

  • Ryan Bertrand missed their first game of the season with a knee injury and it has been confirmed that he will miss out once more on Friday.
  • Claude Puel has revealed there is a 'good chance' Jose Fonte will make his season bow despite being linked with a move to Friday's opponents.

  Match Facts

  Man Utd have won 7 of their last 8 home matches (Premier League).	Man Utd win 1.53
  There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Man Utd's last 3 games (Premier League).	Over 2.5 goals 1.95
  Man Utd have seen under 2.5 goals in their last 3 home matches against Southampton in all competitions.	Under 2.5 goals 1.85
  Southampton are undefeated in their last 7 matches (Premier League).	Southampton win or draw 2.60
  Man Utd have scored at least 2 goals in their last 3 matches (Premier League).	Over 1.5 goals 1.30
  * Odds from

  Prediction

  • Manchester United turned in a thoroughly professional performance on Jose Mourinho's Premier League bow as United manager to beat Bournemouth 3-1. Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney both got on the scoresheet, which was an added bonus, although there is still work to be done.
  • Southampton's new regime under Claude Puel started with a 1-1 draw against Watford. They also have a lot of work to do if they are to match the expectations of the manager. Southampton have beaten United in both of their last two visits to Old Trafford, which should give the away side some confidence ahead of the first Friday night fixture of the season.
  • Those two wins are the only times they have actually beaten United in their last 14 encounters in all competitions, however. It would take some doing for Southampton to make it three wins in a row at Old Trafford, particuarly with Mourinho keen to secure a first win at the Theatre of Dreams. The last time United lost at Old Trafford in a competitive fixture was coincidentally against Southampton back in January. They are unbeaten in 11 matches in all competitions since then. 
  • MANCHESTER UNITED WIN-FINAL VERDICT