Southampton host Manchester United on Saturday and are aiming to keep their own momentum going after a 1-0 win away at Crystal Palace last weekend.
The hosts have made a mixed start to the new season, winning two games, drawing two and losing two. They have scored five goals along the way, whilst conceding four.
The visitors Manchester United, on the other hand, have made a scintillating start to the new season. The Red Devils are currently sat in second place in the league after four wins and a draw from their first five games. Manchester United have scored 16 times already this season and have only conceded twice, with both goals coming in their 2-2 draw away to Stoke City.
This fixture will be the second time that sides have met since the EFL Cup final back in February, and again it will be at St Mary’s.
The last time the two sides met was at the back end of last season, when Manchester United were making their push for the Europa League title.Whereas, Claude Puel’s goal-shy Southampton were playing for revenge after the final defeat, and pride towards the end of the season.
This is arguably Mauricio Pellegrino’s toughest test since taking over the Southampton hot seat from Claude Puel. So far Saints fans have seen some improvement from the Frenchman’s passive style, yet are still waiting to see their side put in level of performance that was a regular under Ronald Koeman before he left for Everton in 2016.
Mauricio Pellegrino has confirmed that he has a fully fit squad with both Charlie Austin and Virgil van Dijk being heavily involved in training building up to this fixture.
Jose Mourinho and Manchester United are still expected to be without Paul Pogba who picked up a hamstring injury against Basel in the Champions League, whilst the EFL Cup final match winner Zlatan Ibrahimović is still recovering from a long term injury he suffered last season. Marcus Rojo is also waiting to return from a long term injury.
The form guide would suggest a win for the visitors as they look the extend their near perfect start to the season. However without key man Pogba, their outfit looks different in the midfield.
This fixture will be a tough test for both sides, with Saints clearly the underdogs.
