Manchester United has made a number of changes ahead of their visit to St. Mary’s to take on Southampton live on NBCSN at 11:00 a.m. ET or live online at NBC Sports Live Extra. The game pits countrymates and former coaching partners Louis van Gaal against Ronald Koeman once again, with their falling out always a storyline when they meet.
Young Anthony Martial makes his first Premier League start up front, supported by Wayne Rooney, Memphis Depay, and Juan Mata. Much was made of the 19-year-old’s debut appearance against Liverpool, when he came on late and grabbed a goal while looking electric in the attack.
With Luke Shaw’s awful broken leg likely to keep him out for the season, a defensive change was also needed as Marco Rojo comes into the middle and the versatile Daley Blind shifts over to the left. Finally, Morgan Schneiderlin returns to the starting lineup, rotating 31-year-old Bastian Schweinsteiger to the bench.
WATCH LIVE: Southampton vs Manchester United live online at NBC Sports Live Extra
Southampton has returned Sadio Mane to the starting lineup after being used as a super-sub in the 0-0 draw with West Brom last weekend.
The Saints are struggling with a few injuries early in the season, with Ryan Bertrand, Gaston Ramirez, Jordy Clasie and Florin Gardos all out, along with the long-term absence of goalkeeper Fraser Forster. While the squad turnover seemed to affect them early in the season, Southampton have four points in their last two matches and look to be on the rise.
LINEUPS
Southampton: Stekelenburg, Yoshida, Fonte, van Dijk, Targett, Wanyama, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Tadić, Mané, Pellè.
Subs: K. Davis, Cédric, Long, S. Davis, Rodriguez, Martina, Juanmi.
Manchester United: De Gea, Darmian, Smalling, Rojo, Blind, Carrick, Schneiderlin, Mata, Memphis, Rooney, Martial.
Subs: Romero, McNair, Valencia, Herrera, Schweinsteiger, Young, Fellaini.