Southampton host Manchester United in the early kick-off this Saturday looking for their third consecutive win in all competitions after wins away to Brighton and Fulham respectively.
Manchester United, on the other hand, are looking to bounce back from their home defeat to Crystal Palace last weekend.
Both sides come into the fixture with some significant first-team injuries. Southampton will be without Nathan Redmond, Moussa Djenepo and Michael Obafemi, who all suffered injuries in the midweek Carabao Cup win at Craven Cottage.
Manchester United will be without Luke Shaw and Antony Martial, who picked up injuries in the defeat to Crystal Palace, while Diogo Dalot, Eric Bailly and Timothy Fosu-Mensah still remain sidelined.
The two fixtures between these two sides last season produced two entertaining games and plenty of goals, as a 2-2 draw at St Mary’s and a 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford saw Manchester United take four points from Saints last season.
This combined XI is selected of the players who will be fit and available ahead of the game on Saturday lunchtime. It will line up in a 4-3-3 formation, which can also be adapted into a 4-2-3-1.
Without further ado, let’s see who makes this combined XI.
David de Gea
David de Gea is one of the best goalkeepers in all of world football. Excluding him from this combined XI simply wouldn’t be justifiable.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Wan-Bissaka made the switch from South London to Manchester in the summer for £50m after an outstanding season with Crystal Palace. He has been a quality addition to the United back-line, and at the age of 21, there is only room to improve.
Harry Maguire
The world’s most expensive defender, Maguire made the switch from Leicester to Manchester United this summer. Like Wan-Bissaka, he has been a solid addition. Calm and assured on the ball, timing tackles, headers and clearances to perfection, it’s clear to see the importance and value of Maguire to any side.
Victor Lindelof
Victor Lindelof is entering his third season at Old Trafford after signing for the Red Devils from Benfica in 2017. The Sweden international has been a dependable player for them, although injuries have hindered his time at Old Trafford thus far. He’s better than any of Saints’ defenders and is having a good season.
Ryan Bertrand
Ryan Bertrand is the only available left-back for this combined XI aside from Ashley Young, but don’t let that distract you from the quality and experience he possesses. Bertrand offers great attacking support up and down the left flank as well as showing great defensive discipline.
Paul Pogba
Despite his critics, Pogba is one of the most unstoppable midfielders in world football when he is in the mood. He can change the flow of the game in a heartbeat. A no-brainer for this side.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg
Hojbjerg showed his versatility in midweek by playing at left-back against Fulham in the Carabao cup. For this combined XI, I have chosen him to play in his natural position of central midfield where he is – and should be – an absolute mainstay for Saints moving forward. Hojbjerg would create an exceptional partnership with Pogba, with his defensive duties allowing the Frenchman the freedom to go and express himself.
Juan Mata
Juan Mata is expected to start the game this weekend. He has exceptional attacking qualities, and it’s clear to see why he has been playing at the top level ever since his arrival in England. Mata can unlock a defence with his perfectly-timed through balls and floats into some exceptional positions between the defensive and midfield lines.
Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford can play anywhere along a front three with his pace and ability to beat a man. This, combined with deadly finishing, makes him a hugely dangerous player, and a shoo-in for this line-up.
Che Adams
Adams is still yet to get his first goal on the south coast, but he has still brought quality to the Saints attacking line. Adams has exceptional hold-up play, and like Rashford, can drift out into wide positions and beat defenders with his raw pace. He has had limited goalscoring chances come his way so far this season, but in this side, he would get plenty, and I am sure he would thrive.
Sofiane Boufal
Sofiane Boufal is one of the most technically-gifted dribblers and players I have ever seen. Boufal has such silky feet and quality close control of the ball that he would be an asset to any side. He has been questioned over his work rate and attitude, but it seems as if Ralph Hasenhuttl has cracked that situation. With Redmond, Djenepo and Martial out of the equation, he completes my combined line-up.