Manchester United are favourites heading into this weekend’s clash against Southampton, but they will face a difficult trip without some key players.
Luke Shaw and Anthony Martial have been ruled out of the match at St Mary’s after they sustained injuries during the Red Devils’ 2-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace last weekend.
Twitter: We have an update on two Reds ahead of Saturday’s #PL encounter. #MUFC (@ManUtd)
Meanwhile, injury analyst Ben Dinnery has stated that Diogo Dalot will be unavailable, leaving Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s full-back options thin for the trip down south.
Twitter: Diogo Dalot will also miss the trip to St Mary’s, but it is hoped that the Portuguese defender would be in line to… https://t.co/BL7spbz9Qd (@BenDinnery)
So, how will United deal with their three absentees? Let’s have a look at how Solskjaer could manage his line-up this weekend.
Left-back
Shaw’s absence is a big blow for United. He hasn’t convinced this season but remains the club’s best left-back by a long, long distance.
Solskjaer is likely to call on Ashley Young to deputise. The 34-year-old has been off the pace for a couple of seasons now, but he was named the new club captain of his side at the start of the campaign.
Prone to defensive errors and without the dynamism that made him a dangerous winger many moons ago, Young is certainly a weak spot in this United side.
Although Nathan Redmond and Moussa Djenepo are out for Southampton, Ralph Hasenhuttl will surely sense an opportunity to put the visitors under pressure down their left-hand side.
Striker
Martial had been starting up front for United. Having been given the number nine shirt, the Frenchman was handed the responsibility of leading the line under Solskjaer.
He scored a thumping goal against Wolves in a 1-1 draw a fortnight ago but has been quiet aside from this strike at Molineux. His absence, however, will be felt, as he is arguably his club’s best natural finisher.
Martial’s injury presents Solskjaer with an intriguing conundrum. Following Romelu Lukaku’s move to Inter Milan, only he and Marcus Rashford are United’s established striking options, with young Mason Greenwood still on the fringes.
Therefore, the manager will likely rejig his attacking quartet, with Rashford moving up front. The trio behind the England international could consist of Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard and Daniel James, with Andreas Pereira also in reserve.
Right-back
This is United’s least-pressing concern ahead of their trip to St Mary’s. Dalot showed good signs last season, and his injury is by no means ideal, but he isn’t Solskjaer’s first-choice right-back.
United signed Aaron Wan-Bissaka for £50 million from Crystal Palace in the summer, and he has been in good form; he was handed his first senior England call-up by Gareth Southgate on Thursday.
Arguably the best defensive full-back in the Premier League, the youngster has impressed despite his new team’s inconsistencies. Saints may find it hard getting past him on Saturday.
