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Manchester United have resumed their season positively after yet another international break - with two wins out of two in all competitions.
However their biggest problem has been finding the consistency that leads to titles; whether it is across competitions, a run of games or even in the two halves of the same match.
Against West Brom, they stumbled their way to the 3 points while during the week, they ran riot against Istanbul in the first half before struggling again in the second
After recording their first home league win of the season against West Brom, Manchester United will be eager to extend their impressive away form which currently stands at 7 consecutive wins in the league.
Here is the predicted line-up that Ole Gunnar Solskjær could pick at the weekend to make it 8 away wins in a row.
Predicted Manchester United XI:
Goalkeeper
Dean Henderson would have been hoping for more game time when he returned to Manchester United after a really successful loan spell at Sheffield United.
However he is yet to play in the Premier League for the Red Devils with his 3 appearances so far coming in the Carabao Cup and the Champions League against Istanbul. Clearly, Ole Gunnar Solskjær continues to back David De Gea as the undisputed first choice 'keeper at the club.
While Manchester United have conceded plenty of goals in the league, especially at home, De Gea has looked more like his old self. In fact, it's been the team's defense that has been responsible for the poor start to the season.
De Gea looks fired up and eager to prove his critics, who had began to write him off, wrong.
He has become more aggressive in his play and has been heard plenty of times shouting at his defenders to do better in games. He looks confident, in-form and has been pulling off his trademark point-winning saves again this season.
De Gea will be looking to build on this by securing his first away league clean-sheet of the season against an in-form Southampton team over the weekend.
Up until last weekend’s win against West Brom, Manchester United had secured all their three of their league victories after going a goal down, showing that they have tendency of starting games slow.
They will need to change that trend this weekend against a resolute Saints team adept at holding onto leads. The Saints like to press their opposition high and catch them on the ball near their own goal. This could be dangerous to Manchester United as they remain keen on building out from the back.
It is imperative that their defenders and deep-lying midfielders are switched on throughout. Especially to avoid gifting Southampton an easy goal as they did at home last season.
This is how the Red Devils could line up in defense and midfield for their trip to St.Mary’s on Sunday.
Defence
After their horrific 1-6 thrashing at home by Spurs, Manchester United’s backline has improved and plugged the holes to a certain extent. Ole Gunnar Solskjær will be hoping that his defenders can continue their upturn in form by keeping a very effective Saints attack quiet.
He will, however, face a few selection dilemmas when it comes to naming his back four. With Luke Shaw definitely out for this weekend, Alex Telles will start the game hoping to continue impressing.
It is the central defensive pairing, however, that could cause Solskjær selection problems. Both Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire could use some rest as Manchester United enter a gruesome run of fixtures to end the calendar year.
But with Victor Lindelof getting subbed off against Istanbul due to a recurring back issue and Eric Baily not fully match fit, Ole Gunnar Solskjær will have to push his captain to the limit. He will know full well that Harry Maguire will have to start again when PSG visit next week too, as Axel Tuanzebe is suspended for that game.
Axel Tuanzebe will be hoping to impress on his first Premier League start in almost 18 months to help his team secure the 3 points, as well as to atone for his UCL suspension.
Manchester United face another injury issue at right back with Aaron Wan-Bissaka limping off to the change room during the clash against Istanbul in midweek.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah had deputized at right back during last season's run-in but the buzz from Old Trafford is that Ole Gunnar Solskjær sees Brandon Williams as the long-term second choice right back for Manchester United.
Midfield and Attack
Manchester United look to be two completely different teams in the Premier League and the Champions League - and this is most evident in their intent and style of play.
They play with more pace, energy and intent in the Champions League, which has resulted in them scoring 12 goals in just 4 games. In the Premier League, however, they have scored just 13 in 8.
A factor that could be responsible for this is new signing Donny van de Beek, who has started most of the Champions League games. The former Ajax player brings more footballing IQ, spatial awareness and slick passing to an otherwise static midfield barring the talismanic Bruno Fernandes. The Dutch international will be confident of getting his first league start since arriving at Old Trafford after his impressive outing in midweek. Paul Pogba is likely to still be out through injury.
Despite the hectic schedule that awaits the Red Devils in the next 30 days, Ole Gunnar Solskjær will be hesitant to even think of resting Bruno Fernandes as everything good his team does goes through the Portuguese international. He will also be aware of the potent attack possessed by Southampton and will therefore likely choose a defensive midfield pivot of Nemanja Matić and Scott McTominay; which will afford Fred a rest after he played both the games following the international break.
It is in the Manchester United attack that Ole Gunnar Solskjær has plenty of options to choose from. With no fitness issues, no suspensions and no injuries to deal with, Ole can pick any combination in attack, each having a different dynamic.
Given the schedule and teams that await Manchester United, it is likely that Marcus Rashford will be rested at the weekend keeping in mind the huge clash with PSG next week.
The attacking pairing that Ole is likely to select for the weekend is Anthony Martial and Edinson Cavani. The Uruguayan impressed in his first start for Manchester United with his brilliant hold up play and off ball movement, enabling the players around him to do damage.
After a difficult start to the campaign, Martial looked to find form playing from the left in the midweek game. He will likely start in the same position against the Saints.
As mentioned earlier, Donny van de Beek could also start at the weekend but his first league start for Manchester United will have to come at right wing, displacing Juan Mata.
Manchester United Predicted XI: David de Gea, Brandon Williams, Axel Tuanzebe, Harry Maguire and Alex Telles. Scott McTominay, Nemanja Matić and Bruno Fernandes. Donny van de Beek, Anthony Martial and Edinson Cavani.
