Paul Pogba is available to play and is in line to make his second debut for the club.
After seeing out his one-match suspension due to two yellow cards picked up in the Coppa Italia last season, Manchester United’s world-record signing Paul Pogba is in contention to make his first appearance after returning.
In the pre-match press conference, Jose Mourinho said (via Sky Sports):
“Paul has been training for more than a week, around 10, 11 days, adaptation is really easy because he is a boy from here, he knows the club, he knows everybody. There’s no need for time to adapt.
“He needs time to build his condition and his understanding in the way the team tries to play. Yes, he’s ready to play. Ninety minutes? I don’t believe.”
New signings Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Eric Bailly have impressed the manager and are almost certain starters for Friday’s game. Captain Wayne Rooney has been under fire recently, but it looks like he will be named in the playing eleven. Jesse Lingard picked up an injury during the Community Shield and may not play any role in the game against Southampton.
Chris Smalling’s return to full fitness may see the English centre-back slot in to replace Daley Blind.
Southampton have won in their last two visits to Old Trafford, but will go into this one as underdogs. Left-back Ryan Bertrand who missed out the Saints’ loss against Watford has not yet recovered to full fitness and will play no part in Friday’s game. Manchester United target Jose Fonte was on the bench for Southampton last week, but is in contention to start after training the entire week.
