Saints take on Manchester United at St Mary’s in their toughest challenge of the season to date.
Jose Mourinho’s team have had a blistering start to the season and currently sit joint-top of the league with their neighbours, Manchester City.
Mauricio Pellegrino will be hoping that Saints can build upon their victory at Crystal Palace last week, where Steve Davis’ early strike proved the difference. While the focus this year has mainly been on Southampton’s goalscoring difficulties, it is their defence that will be really tested this weekend.
United come into this weekend undefeated and on a high after a thumping 4-0 win at Everton last weekend and another 4-1 victory again Burton Albion in the Carabao Cup in midweek.
Therefore, Saints will have their work cut out for them and will be relying on strong performances from Oriol Romeu and Mario Lemina who will be looking to protect the defensive line, which could contain one Virgil Van Dijk from the start on Saturday.
Here we have a look at some of the key battles that Saints will be hoping to win against the Red Devils, which could swing the balance of the game.
