Ole Gunnar Solskjaer considered throwing Jadon Sancho into the Manchester United starting XI against Southampton but is treating his summer signings with caution.
Sancho is still on the bench despite playing an hour in the friendly against Burnley on Tuesday, while Raphael Varane makes the squad a week after his move from Real Madrid was confirmed.
The France international hasn't played yet this summer so needs more fitness work than Sancho, but he is amongst nine substitutes at St Mary's.
“Of course you’re tempted [to throw them in], but we need to give them the foundation of the work. Jadon played in the week so he’s more ready than Raphael, but he’s had a good week of training," Solskjaer told MUTV.
Solskjaer has made two changes to the side that thrashed Leeds on the opening weekend of the season, with Nemanja Matic and Anthony Martial coming in for Scott McTominay and Daniel James, who both drop to the bench.
McTominay missed a chunk of pre-season with an injury and is continuing to struggle for fitness which is why he has dropped out of the side.
Martial is starting a game for the first time since suffering a serious knee injury on international duty in March.
“You want to keep continuity but Scotty is struggling with an injury, hopefully we can get half an hour out of him if needed. Anthony has been looking sharp, he looked sharp when he came on and he looked sharp against Burnley in midweek," added Solskjaer.
United will be cheered on by a full away end for the first time since March 5, 2020 on the south coast and the United boss wants to give them something to celebrate.
“It’s class, just driving in and walking out of the hotel there were fans there. Finally, we’ve got our game back and our fans back and hopefully we can celebrate in front of them," said Solskjaer.
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