United are on the road for the first time this season tomorrow, travelling southbound to face Southampton at St Mary's (kick off at 14:00 UK time). Avoiding defeat would see the reds equal the longest Premier League unbeaten away run, joint with Arsenal's past total of 27. Without crowds present at away grounds over the past year or so, United have been flawless - it'll be interesting to see if such fate continues as fans return.
It was a scintillating start to proceedings at Old Trafford last week, with five put past Leeds as the Yorkshire side were emphatically overcome. The only negative to the result was that concession to Luke Ayling's phenomenal strike saw United's run without a clean sheet extent to nine matches. Nonetheless, the showing was extremely encouraging given spells of last season were marred by really lacklustre home form. Keep playing in the manner that we opened at Old Trafford, then good things could very much come by May.
The fitness of players continues to improve as more minutes are put into the tank, with a light midweek friendly seeing involvement for a number of regular first team players. Harry Maguire and Fred were both on the scoresheet, with Jesse Lingard back amongst the squad and the goals (following his positive Covid-19 test) as United overcame Burnley 3-1 at Old Trafford.
Jadon Sancho started the aforementioned behind close doors match following his weekend debut cameo, looking in line to play a bigger part tomorrow. Raphael Varane wasn't involved on Tuesday afternoon, but he has trained this week and may have worked himself into some sort of contention.
Edinson Cavani returned to training late in the week, hoping for some involvement following three goals and an assist against Southampton last season over only two halves worth of football. Eric Bailly and Amad also rejoined the squad after their time in Tokyo with their national team for the Olympics. Dean Henderson is working towards his return as he continues to recover from a bad bout of Covid-19, with reports suggesting he still won't be involved until after the upcoming international break despite progress. Marcus Rashford remains out following his shoulder surgery, with Alex Telles absent but showing "a tremendous attitude to the rehab" he is undergoing for his ankle injury. Anthony Elanga is "not fully fit yet" following a knock sustained before the closing pre-season match.
There's lots to keep up to date with on the loan front at the moment, with several moves happening amongst younger members of the squad. James Garner looks set for another temporary move away, whilst Solskjaer has hinted that Amad could stay given "he is doing really, really well in training" - though the Ivorian could equally as likely spend a period of time elsewhere as he remains a target for a number of English clubs.
Andreas Pereira is the latest to leave on loan, departing for Brazilian side Flamengo on a season-long deal with an option to buy. Axel Tuanzebe and Facundo Pellistri made moves earlier in the month, both returning to familiar surroundings in Aston Villa and Alaves respectively. Ethan Galbraith has recently joined League One outfit Doncaster; meanwhile Di'Shon Bernard (Hull), Ethan Laird (Swansea) and Tahith Chong (Birmingham) are all spending time in the Championship. Reece Devine (St Johnstone) and Dylan Levitt (Dundee) are both over in Scotland, whilst Will Fish is impressing for local non-league side Stockport County.
Now onto the hosts. It was a bright start from Southampton against Everton last weekend as new signing Adam Armstrong capitalised on Michael Keane's first half error, but the Merseyside club hit back three times in the second period to win 3-1 in Benitez's Goodison opener. On a more positive note, the important midfield figure of James Ward-Prowse has committed his future to The Saints amidst summer transfer speculation. The core of Hasenhuttl's side is very much fit and available, which was often not the case last campaign.
The South Coast side had to settle for 15th last season, faltering to a colossal extent after starting very well. They won only four of their final 21 league matches at the end of last term, losing 15 during that time period. In their last 22 league matches, they have only managed to keep a single clean sheet (conceding 52 times). Offering some consolation, they did progress to the semi-finals of the FA Cup earlier this year.
It was a full haul of points for United in this fixture last season. The reds stole three points at St Mary's having come from two goals down in the final half hour, with Cavani coming on to grab a brace which included an injury time winner. United have recovered a whopping 35 points from losing positions against Southampton, the most of any side against a single opposition in Premier League history. The Saints have now lost a joint-record 10 Premier League meetings against United after scoring the opening goal. It's 10 league matches winless on home turf against United for Southampton, with only the single victory in the past 13 encounters at St Mary's.
It was certainly more routine for United in the return fixture, partially thanks to Alexandre Jankewitz's early dismissal. It ended 9-0 at Old Trafford, the equal-biggest winning margin in Premier League history. There were seven different United goalscorers that evening, with Jan Bednarek also scoring a own goal and then finding himself sent off in the closing exchanges.
Southampton have only won three of their last 30 opening home matches in the league, and could become only the second club to lose their opening two Premier League fixtures in three consecutive seasons if United were to deal defeat tomorrow.
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