Predicted Manchester United Lineup To Face Southampton
Manchester United are mathematically out of the race for the top-4 places in the Premier League this season after their loss against Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend. They are now 7 points off 4th placed Manchester City and will go into the game this midweek with not much to play for in the league.
After the stern tests against Arsenal and Tottenham, Manchester United face yet another resilient side in Southampton this weekend – a side that is fresh from a win over Middlesbrough in their previous encounter.
Team News
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo and Ashley Young remain sidelined for the rest of the season. However, Marouane Fellaini is up for selection.
Probable Manchester United XI:
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Manager: Jose Mourinho
GK – Sergio Romero
With David de Gea expected to start the Europa League final, he might be rested, giving Romero a start in this mid-week game.
RB – Alex Tuanzebe
With Antonio Valencia also needing some rest, Mourinho should stick with the young Tuanzebe for this game against Southampton.
CB – Eric Bailly
The red card he picked up in the semi-finals of the Europa League should make Bailly an automatic starter for this game the next against Palace.
CB – Chris Smalling
The English star is expected to start against Ajax in a week’s time and he will hope to pick up some form with a strong performance in this game.
LB – Matteo Darmian
Matteo Darmian will start at left-back as Jose Mourinho has clearly hinted that he will rest his first choice players for the Premier League games. So Blind will sit this one out.
CM – Michael Carrick
The English midfielder is not expected to play in the Europa League final later this month and he could be starting both the remaining league games for Manchester United this campaign.
CM – Marouane Fellaini
After missing the weekend’s game through suspension, Fellaini, who is now available for selection, should start this game, giving Andre Herrera some much-deserved rest.
RW – Jesse Lingard
The youngster had a tiresome outing against the Spurs and will hope to put in a better performance against Southampton in this clash.
CAM – Juan Mata
The Spaniard was not able to weave his magic against a stern Spurs defence and will face a similar tough task against the Saints as well.
LW – Wayne Rooney
Scored the last ever league goal at the White Hart Lane in the previous round and will be full of confidence going into this game.
ST – Anthony Martial
The French striker created the goal for Rooney against Tottenham and should keep his place in the starting XI for a third consecutive league game.