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3-5-1-1: Southampton predicted XI to face Man Utd

Manchester United play host to relegation battlers Southampton at Old Trafford on Saturday.

The Saints’ 2-0 win at home to Fulham ended a four-game streak without victory and sees them head into the weekend two points above the drop zone.

We drew 2-2 at St Mary’s to kick off December in what was one of Jose Mourinho’s final games in charge. Both teams have changed manager since the first meeting between these two this season.

Here’s the Southampton team we could see lining up at Old Trafford this weekend:

Goalkeeper: Angus Gunn
The former Manchester City youngster has started the Saints’ last two Premier League games and made a number of saves in the process. Angus Gunn could be in line to make his third successive start this weekend.

Defence: Jan Bednarek, Maya Yoshida, Jan Vestergaard
Ralph Hasenhuttl has gone with a back three in recent weeks and it paid dividends when they shut out Fulham last time out. It was their first clean sheet in the Premier League since a 0-0 draw at Chelsea on 2 January. Arsenal put two past the South coast club last weekend and it could easily have been more.

Midfield: Yan Valery, James Ward-Prowse, Oriol Romeu, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Ryan Bertrand
Wing backs Yan Valey and Ryan Bertrand can expect to spend more time in their own half than ours this weekend as we look to dictate possession and territory this weekend. The German coach will be looking to pack the middle of the park with the likes of James Ward-Prowse, Oriol Romeu and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, all of whom could play a role in counter-attacks from the visitors.

Attack: Stuart Armstrong; Nathan Redmond
Southampton have found some success in playing Nathan Redmond up front but the makeshift striker remains very hit and miss. In fact, a lot more miss than hit. With Danny Ings injured, Hasenhuttl still has Shane Long and Charlie Austin as options. Stuart Armstrong powered home a 13th minute opener at St Mary’s against us earlier this season.

Here’s the Southampton team on paper: