Manchester United will attempt to make it back-to-back Premier League wins at the start of the 2016-17 campaign when they welcome Southampton to Old Trafford on Friday night.
The match will mark Jose Mourinho's first home league game in charge of the Red Devils, and France international Paul Pogba is widely expected to make his second debut for the club after his return to Manchester this month.
Man United
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It would be fair to say that there was not too much excitement at Old Trafford last season. The results were actually pretty good for the most part, but the football on display from Louis van Gaal's side was difficult to watch. A new era is now upon Man United, however, and Mourinho will be officially welcomed to the home of the 20-time English champions on Friday night when his new team open Week Two in England's top flight.
It has been a strong start for Mourinho, whose team claimed the Community Shield earlier this month with a 2-1 win over the Premier League champions Leicester City, before opening their Premier League challenge with an impressive 3-1 victory at Bournemouth last Sunday. As a result, they are the early leaders in the division as one of seven teams on three points.
There was not too much to shout about in the first half of the Bournemouth clash, but Juan Mata sent the Red Devils into a 1-0 lead in the 40th minute, before Wayne Rooney and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, on his league debut, finished off the hosts. Bournemouth had one back through Adam Smith in the 69th minute, but it was a comfortable afternoon for Man United, who immediately looked to offer more in the final third of the field.
Mourinho targeted four new players in this summer's transfer window and has been able to secure all of his top targets. Ibrahimovic, who has two in two games for the Red Devils, arrived on a free transfer, while Eric Bailly and Henrikh Mkhitaryan also joined the squad for the 2016-17 campaign.
It was the signing of Pogba that captured the attention, however, with the France international re-joining Man United for a world-record fee, just four years after leaving on a free transfer for Juventus.
Pogba only played seven first-team games for Man United in his first spell, but the 23-year-old will now hope to build a legacy after returning to English football and is expected to make his debut here after sitting out the Bournemouth clash through a suspension that he incurred while at Juventus.
Man United might have lifted the FA Cup last season, but they finished fifth in the Premier League and that will simply not be good enough this term. There were 15 points between themselves and champions Leicester, but Mourinho will be confident of leading this team to a strong title challenge this time around.
Recent form: W
Recent form (all competitions): WW
Southampton
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As for Southampton, the Saints opened their Premier League season with a 1-1 draw against Watford on Saturday afternoon. It was Nathan Redmond, on his debut, that secured a point for the south coast club - now under the management of former Nice boss Claude Puel, who has replaced Ronald Koeman at the helm.
Koeman led Southampton to a sixth-place finish in the Premier League table last season, but the Dutchman has since left for Everton and more key players have been sold in this summer's transfer window – Sadio Mane, Graziano Pelle and Victor Wanyama among those that have sought pastures new.
Puel has managed to bring in Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg from Bayern Munich, however, in addition to Redmond, Jeremy Pied and Alex McCarthy. It could well be a difficult season for the Saints, especially as they are reportedly fighting to hold on to captain Jose Fonte, who has been linked with a move to Man United over the last week or so.
Southampton failed to make it through to the group stages of the Europa League last season, but they have another opportunity this term and how the team performs in the Premier League could well depend on whether Puel can balance their commitments across the board, should the Saints indeed enjoy a European journey.
In terms of what is ahead, Southampton will host Sunderland in their third Premier League match next weekend, before travelling to Arsenal straight after the international break. They then host Swansea City and travel to West Ham United in their final two games of September.
The Saints have had to get used to losing managers and key players since returning to England's top flight, but Koeman's departure came as a real surprise and this could well be a tough season for the Hampshire outfit, who have been operating above their means since returning to the Premier League in 2012.
Recent form: D
Team News
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As mentioned, Pogba is now available following a one-game suspension and the Frenchman is expected to be brought into the starting XI, which could see Ander Herrera or Mata drop to the bench.
England international Chris Smalling is also back from suspension, but a lack of pre-season football could see Mourinho keep faith with Daley Blind and new signing Bailly in the two centre-back positions.
Mkhitaryan is also pushing for a spot in the team and could be handed his first start in a wide position, while Rooney and Ibrahimovic will be given the chance to continue their relationship in the final third of the field.
As for Southampton, Fonte did not feature in the 1-1 draw with Watford last weekend, but the centre-back is expected to return to the XI at Old Trafford despite the speculation surrounding his future.
Charlie Austin headed the winner in the corresponding league match last season, but the Englishman could once again be left on the bench as Redmond and Shane Long continue in the final third.
Summer signing Hojbjerg is also pushing for a spot in the XI after starting on the bench last weekend, and his introduction could see Spanish midfielder Oriol Romeu drop to the bench.
Man United possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Valencia, Blind, Bailly, Shaw; Fellaini, Pogba; Martial, Rooney, Mkhitaryan; Ibrahimovic
Southampton possible starting lineup:
Forster; Cedric, Fonte, Van Dijk, Targett; Hojbjerg, Ward-Prowse, Davis; Tadic, Redmond, Long
Head To Head
Friday will be the 119th meeting between Man United and Southampton in all competitions. The Red Devils have won 61 of the previous 118, with Southampton recording 28 victories and the further 29 matches finishing level.
The Saints, however, have recorded back-to-back 1-0 wins at Old Trafford in the Premier League and are unbeaten in their last three visits to this ground.
In fact, Man United have not beaten Southampton at Old Trafford in the Premier League since January 2013, but they have won on each of their last two visits to St Mary's – including a 3-2 success last term when Anthony Martial stole the show with a brace.
We say: Man United 2-0 Southampton
Southampton have never won three in a row at Old Trafford in their entire league history and it will be difficult for the Saints to end that record in this match. Man United will not have it all their own way, but we believe that the introduction of Pogba will inspire Mourinho's side to a comfortable home win on Friday night.
Matt Law
