Now is the time for Manchester United to embark on a winter-into-spring run to prove Louis van Gaal’s claim they can still seriously challenge for the title. Before them are a Southampton side who were beaten 3-2 in the reverse fixture and who have seven points fewer than United’s 37. Earlier this term Van Gaal’s men went 11 games unbeaten in all competitions of which only four were victories. The current sequence is five with three wins. This ratio has to continue into March at least. Jamie Jackson
Kick-off Saturday 3pm
Venue Old Trafford
Last season Manchester United 0 Southampton 1
Referee Mike Jones
This season G15, Y49, R1, 3.40 cards per game
Odds H 5-6 A 7-2 D 5-2
Manchester United
Subs from Romero, Pereira, Powell, Rashford, Tuanzebem, Goss, McNair, Varela, Depay, Januzaj, Mata
Doubtful None
Injured Shaw (broken leg, May), Valencia (ankle, Mar), Rojo (shoulder, unknown), Carrick (unknown), Young (groin, unknown), Schweinsteiger (knee), Jones (match fitness)
Suspended None
Form LLDWDW
Discipline Y37 R0
Leading scorer Rooney 6
Southampton
Subs from Stekelenburg, K Davis, Martina, Yoshida, Clasie, Romeu, Tadic, Austin, Pelle, Juanmi
Doubtful Stekelenburg (knock)
Injured Rodriguez (knee, Mar), Gardos (knee, unknown)
Suspended None
Form LWLLWW
Discipline Y38 R3
Leading scorer Pellè 6
