Get set for Southampton's trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United with our in-depth match preview...
THE MATCH
Manchester United vs Southampton
Saturday 30th December, 5:30pm
Old Trafford
Premier League
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Saints are searching for their first win in seven after losing out to Tottenham on Boxing Day, while Manchester United were held to a 2-2 stalemate with Burnley.
Successive Premier League draws mean that the hosts have not tasted victory in three matches after defeat to Bristol City in the Carabao Cup quarter-final earlier this month.
Consequently, the Red Devils find themselves 15 points behind rivals Man City – the biggest points gap between first and second place after 20 games in English top-flight history.
United won the reverse fixture at St Mary's courtesy of a Romelu Lukaku goal back in September – but José Mourinho's side have not beaten Southampton home and away in the same season since 2012/13.
TEAM NEWS
Chris Smalling is a doubt after picking up an injury in the draw with Leicester and will likely sit out until the New Year along with defensive teammate Matteo Darmian.
Antonio Valencia, Marouane Fellaini, Michael Carrick and Eric Bailly all remain sidelined.
Saints are without Charlie Austin, who has a hamstring problem, while Cédric and Ryan Bertrand have suffered similar injury woes and are unavailable for the Old Trafford trip.
FORM GUIDE
Manchester United's previous five:
Burnley (h) D 2-2
Leicester City (a) D 2-2
Bristol City (a) L 2-1 (Carabao Cup)
West Brom (a) W 2-1
Bournemouth (h) W 1-0
Southampton’s previous five:
Tottenham (a) L 5-2
Huddersfield Town (h) D 1-1
Chelsea (a) L 0-1
Leicester City (h) L 1-4
Arsenal (h) D 1-1
TOP PERFORMERS
Despite a brief goal drought, Romelu Lukaku remains United's most potent attacking threat. The former Everton frontman has ten strikes to his name, while midfield playmaker Jesse Lingard has risen to prominence of late, after rescuing a point against Burnley with a second-half brace.
Top scorers: Romelu Lukaku (10), Jesse Lingard (6), Anthony Martial (6), Marcus Rashford (4)
Most assists: Henrikh Mkhitaryan (5), Paul Pogba (5), Marcus Rashford (5), Jesse Lingard (4)
Sofiane Boufal and Dušan Tadić both netted at Wembley on Boxing Day, in the wake of top scorer Charlie Austin's absence. The Serbian forward added his third of the season, and is now level with both Steven Davis and Manolo Gabbiadini.
Top scorers: Charlie Austin (6), Steven Davis (3), Manolo Gabbiadini (3), Dušan Tadić (3)
Most assists: Nathan Redmond (3), Ryan Bertrand (3), Dušan Tadić (2)
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
All-time record:
Played: 122
Manchester United: 64
Draws: 30
Southampton: 28
Previous five meetings:
Sept 2017: Southampton 0-1 Manchester United
May 2017: Southampton 0-0 Manchester United
Feb 2017: Manchester United 3-2 Southampton (League Cup)
Aug 2016: Manchester United 2-0 Southampton
Jan 2016: Manchester United 0-1 Southampton
DID YOU KNOW?
- Southampton have won two of their last three league visits to Old Trafford, after a run of 19 games without a win there (D3 L16).
- Man Utd have scored nine goals via substitutes in the Premier League this season - one more than in the previous two seasons combined (8).
NOT AT THE GAME?
Don’t worry if you can’t make it to Old Trafford! Relax at home and follow along with our interactive match centre at southamptonfc.com, where we will have all the build-up, as well as in-game updates and free live audio commentary.
Additionally, be sure to follow us on our various social channels for behind-the-scenes access and further updates live from Manchester:
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