Man Utd team news: Expected XI for Southampton clash with Sancho and Varane decisions made

Man Utd: The first six fixtures of the new Premier League season

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Manchester United are currently preparing for their Premier League clash with Southampton. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are aiming to make it two wins from two, after hammering Leeds last time out. So Express Sport will now take a look at the XI that’s expected to start the match at St Mary’s Stadium.

Goalkeeper: De Gea

Solskjaer confirmed on Friday that Dean Henderson was still recovering from coronavirus, meaning David De Gea is primed to get the nod between the sticks.

“I think the whole situation around Covid is still unknown and it’s new for everyone, that’s the scary bit, you hear people, less fit people than footballers have it and no symptoms and footballers get side-effects, tiredness, it’s a scary disease and virus,” he said.

“We need to be careful.

“Dean was tired after training, now he feels much better, he’s passed all the tests and he’s training, building himself up again because he’s lost a few weeks, he’s working hard on the grass.”

De Gea has a big point to prove this season, and a clean sheet will boost his chances of keeping the No 1 jersey.

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Defence: Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw

Though United have signed Raphael Varane, they don’t want to throw the France international in at the deep end.

And though he’s expected to be used against Southampton, we think that’ll be from the bench rather than from the start.

That means Victor Lindelof should partner Harry Maguire for the match at St Mary’s.

Lindelof was excellent during the Leeds match and, with Varane on board, knows he’s playing for his place.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw should then get the nod at right-back and left-back respectively.

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Midfield: Fred, McTominay, Fernandes

If something isn’t broken, why fix it?

While United do want to revert to a 4-3-3 eventually this season, Fred and Scott McTominay should keep their places for Sunday’s match.

Then, playing ahead of them, will be Bruno Fernandes.

The Portugal international is the beating heart of this Red Devils team and was outstanding against Leeds, scoring a hat-trick.

No chance he misses this one, then.

Forwards: James, Greenwood, Pogba

United are still easing Jadon Sancho into action, especially given how he’s still battling to regain full match fitness.

So, with that being the case, Express Sport is tipping him to be on the bench for the match on Sunday.

Instead, Daniel James may keep his place.

On the left wing should be Paul Pogba, who was excellent in the Leeds win as he registered four assists on a fine afternoon.

And Mason Greenwood, after not putting a foot wrong against Marcelo Bielsa’s side last weekend, is set to be picked as well.

Solskjaer sends away form message

Speaking ahead of the match against Southampton, Solskjaer called on the club to continue their fine away form – having not lost on the road last term.

“Definitely, it’ll be a big difference,” he said.

“I don’t know how many points but we won so many points from going one goal down but you can’t afford to do that with fans in the stadium when you’re away from home.

“Because the fans mean so much in the energy levels, that little bit of extra edge, maybe some nerves if you’re the away team.

“We have to start better, that’s a definite. We have to, of course, manage the game so that the away fans are the ones that are heard.

“We’ve got the best away fans in the world but we can only hear them if we play well and start well. You want to silence the home crowd.

“I know that’s not going to happen when it’s the first game at St. Mary’s for 18 months, so that’s not going to happen, it’s going be loud, but it’s up to us to play the football to do that as well.”

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