Manchester United could go level with Man City at the top of the league if they beat Southampton at Old Trafford on Tuesday night
After two disappointing results saw them lose vital ground in the title race, Manchester United return to action on Tuesday night, as they host faltering Southampton at Old Trafford.
Neither of the sides have won any of their last two games, and Saints’ back-to-back defeats to Arsenal and Aston Villa have left them sitting in the bottom half going into the game, while United are now three points behind Manchester City having played a game less than their cross-city rivals.
Southampton will be hoping they’re not on the wrong end of any more tight VAR calls when they arrive in Manchester, having seen a goal ruled out thanks to Danny Ings’ armpit against Villa, as well as having a solid penalty shout turned down.
Ralph Hassenhuttl still has a massive injury list going into the game, with Kyle Walker-Peters, Jannik Vestergaard, Michael Obafemi, Will Smallbone, Mohamed Salisu and Nathan Tella all missing again.
Oriol Romeu and Theo Walcott came off early against Villa and are doubts, with the Englishman more likely to miss out than the Spaniard. Teenage midfielder Alex Jankewitz made his debut as an 89th minute sub for Romeu and could be in line for a first start if Romeu doesn’t make it.
New signing Takumi Minamino could also be part of the squad after his deadline day loan move from Liverpool.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has no new injury worries ahead of the game, but needs to find a strike partnership that is going to bring his side some goals. Edinson Cavani and Marcus Rashford both missed big chances against Arsenal at the weekend, and Anthony Martial has only managed two league goals all season.
Scott McTominay should be fine after coming off against Arsenal with stomach cramps, which is bad news for Donny Van de Beek, who was ignored in favour of Martial at the Emirates, and remained an unused sub as the game ended goalless.
A win for United will take them level on points with Man City at the top of the table for 22 hours at least, with City in action at Burnley on Wednesday night. Southampton could go above Arsenal into 10th if they pull off the win, and Arsenal fail to beat Wolves.
Man United take on Southampton on Tuesday, February 2nd. Kick-off is at 8.15pm
