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After suffering two losses in their first two games against Burnley and Liverpool, Southampton have started to get into their groove with back-to-back wins against Brighton in the league and Fulham in the Carabao Cup.
In those two wins, Ralph Hasenhuttl switched back to a four-man defence having opted for a 3-5-2 system in the first two league outings – the switch is certainly having the desired effect so far.
However, Manchester United may pose a bigger challenge at St Mary’s this weekend, whilst the former RB Leipzig boss has some injury concerns to deal with.
Let’s take a look at the XI that we think Hasenhuttl should put out against the Red Devils…
Hasenhuttl may be without three players when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side come to visit St Mary’s this Saturday.
The midweek Carabao Cup win at Craven Cottage saw Nathan Redmond, Moussa Djenepo and Michael Obafemi pick up injuries, meaning that the trio are likely to miss this weekend’s game as Hasenhuttl himself admitted.
In their place, we think the Austrian should hand Shane Long a first league start of the season due to the Irishman’s work rate off the ball, which will be important with United expected to have the bulk of the possession.
Behind him, Sofiane Boufal – who has enjoyed a mini-resurgence of late – may also be handed a first league start of the campaign next to Stuart Armstrong, who scored against United at St Mary’s last term – the former Celtic man is also yet to start a league game this term.
At the back, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg impressed at left-back against Fulham with Hasenhuttl praising the Dane for his performance, so we think he will continue in the position with 20-year-old centre-back Kevin Danso returning to a more natural position after playing at left-back against Brighton.
There is enough defensive solidity in this side to make life hard for United in attack, whilst there is also some inventiveness up top with Boufal’s creativity and Long’s industry to pose Harry Maguire and co. some problems.
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