The September international break came at the perfect time for Manchester United, who lost back-to-back matches prior to the Premier League’s hiatus.
The most recent was a 3-0 defeat at the hands of fierce rivals Liverpool on home soil, with errors and an absent midfield proving familiarly costly for the Red Devils. Erik ten Hag already finds himself under significant scrutiny having been outplayed by Premier League newcomer and compatriot Arne Slot.
However, visiting newly-promoted and pointless Southampton offers Man Utd the perfect opportunity to get back to winning ways and climb the table, with Ten Hag required to make some big decisions regarding his starting XI.
Here is how Man Utd could line up this weekend.
GK: Andre Onana – The goalkeeper’s positioning was questionable for Mohamed Salah’s effort before the international break but he is far from Man Utd’s biggest issue at present.
RB: Noussair Mazraoui – Having made a solid but unspectacular start to life at Old Trafford, Ten Hag will be hopeful of a greater attacking threat from his Moroccan right-back against a Saints side that have struggled defensively.
CB: Harry Maguire – Matthijs de Ligt made his first start against Liverpool and wilted after a strong opening, with Maguire replacing him in the second half. The England international could be restored this weekend, especially following De Ligt’s gaffes representing the Netherlands.
CB: Lisandro Martinez – The Argentine did feature against Colombia on Tuesday evening but should be sharp enough to feature at St Mary’s. With Leny Yoro and Victor Lindelof sidelined, Man Utd desperately need him.
LB: Diogo Dalot – One of Man Utd’s livelier performers at the beginning of the new campaign, the Portuguese has been tasked with playing left-back due to an injury crisis. As Luke Shaw nears a return, it will be interesting to see what the future holds for Dalot this term.
DM: Casemiro – Hooked at half-time after a truly shocking performance against Liverpool, somehow Casemiro may be forced to start again on the south coast. Summer signing Manuel Ugarte faces a race against time for his debut after featuring for Uruguay in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
DM: Kobbie Mainoo – The teenager may not have had his best day against Liverpool, with a costly error leading to Salah’s effort, but he is still the shining light in a midfield that’s yet to significantly improve.
RW: Alejandro Garnacho – Garnacho wasn’t influential against Liverpool, with Amad Diallo shining a little brighter when replacing him. However, the youngster has still provided a spark in the opening weeks of the season.
AM: Bruno Fernandes – Arguably Man Utd’s only guaranteed starter these days, Fernandes will be tasked with unlocking a fairly fragile Southampton backline on Saturday.
LW: Marcus Rashford – He can have no complaints if he’s dropped against the Saints after a dreadful start to the season but Ten Hag is evidently attempting to play him into form. That could take some time by the looks of it.
ST: Joshua Zirkzee – Spurned a few decent opportunities against Liverpool but did find the net over the international period. Set to compete with the imminently returning Rasmus Hojlund, although the Denmark striker may not be fit this weekend.
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