Manchester United VS Southampton Preview

Manchester United are set to face Southampton in Jose Mourinho's first competitive home game as manager - so here's everything you need to know about the game.


Key statistics
Mourinho has always made his home ground a fortress and will hope to rebuild the defences that took a hammering during the difficult reigns of David Moyes and Louis van Gaal.


The Portuguese boss has lost just nine home league games during his entire 22-year managerial career, while Sir Alex Ferguson lost just 12 in his last eight years at United.


The club have matched that figure in the three years since his departure, a record Mourinho will be desperate to make the fans forget.




Puel will face Mourinho aiming for Saints' third straight win at Old Trafford
The Red Devils also used to boast a stellar record against Southampton, unbeaten at home against them for 27 years, until Dusan Tadic's goal in January 2015 sealed a 1-0 Saints win, a feat they would repeat by the same scoreline 12 months later.


Head-to-head record
All competitions: played 118, Manchester United 61, Southampton 28, drawn 29


Premier League: played 34, Manchester United 23 (73 goals), Southampton 7 (41 goals), drawn 4


What do the managers say?
United boss Jose Mourinho: "The team can [make Old Trafford a fortress again].


"The fans also help.




"Everything starts there: the relationship between team and fans.


"If there's a connection then the factor of being really strong at home has to come back.


"The way we play [helps] and if the fans play [their part] there'll be no chance for the opponent."


Saints manager Claude Puel: "I think Pogba is the price of my team or my squad.


"But I don't give an opinion on their squad.


"I don't prepare my team to play against one player.


"I prepare my team to play against players of United and every opponent we face this season.




"I want my team to make good decisions.


"It is not a good idea to prepare a team for just one player.


"It is important to bring a collective answer for their team."


Kick-Off time 19/08/2016 20:00HRS




Manchester United team news
After serving a suspension on Sunday which stopped him from completing his United return against Bournemouth, Paul Pogba could be in the starting line-up for the first time since his world record return, although he is expected to come off the bench.

Chris Smalling also returns from suspension and Jesse Lingard returns after missing the opening day through injury.

Squad: De Gea, Shaw, Valencia, Bailly, Smalling, Blind, Carrick, Herrera, Lingard, Pogba, Rooney, Martial, Ibrahimovic, Mkhitaryan, Romero, Rojo, Rashford, Schneiderlin, Fellaini, Mata, Depay, Jones.

Southampton team news
Captain Jose Fonte, understood to be a target for United, could return to the Saints team after missing the 1-1 draw with Watford.

However, Ryan Bertrand has not recovered meaning 20-year-old Matt Targett will continue to deputise at left-back.

Squad: Forster, Martina, Van Dijk, Fonte, Yoshida, Soares, Bertrand, Targett, Clasie, Davis, Ward-Prowse, Romeu, Tadic, Long, Austin, Juanmi, McCarthy, Redmond.

Match officials
Referee: Anthony Taylor

Assistants: Richard West, Adrian Holmes

Fourth official: Andre Marriner