Venue: Old Trafford Date: Wednesday, 30th January K/o: 20:00
Team News
Manchester United's Robin van Persie is set to start against Southampton tonight having been rested for the FA Cup win over Fulham at the weekend. Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand are also set for returns, but winger Ashley Young and defender Jonny Evans remain out with knee and hamstring injuries respectively. Southampton could welcome back club captain Adam Lallana after two months out with knee ligament damage, but Jose Fonte and Guly Do Prado are both out with knee injuries. Vegard Forren is in line to make his debut.
Match Preview
Manchester United know that victory here tonight would reopen a healthy gap at the top of the Premier League table. Ferguson's men have the opportunity to stretch their lead to seven points after QPR held Man City to a goalless draw last night. New Saints manager Mauricio Pochettino had a solid start to his reign after taking over from axed Nigel Adkins with a hard-fought draw against Everton, but he will have hoped for a kinder first few fixtures while he gets bedded in with his new team. An away game against the Premier League leaders is about as tough as it gets for the Argentine, who is still trying to win over supporters. As unfair and indecent as Adkins' dismissal was, football is a fast moving business and there is little room for sentiment. Southampton fans will have been buoyed by the performance their side put in against the Toffees and will be hopeful of seeing off the drop, but their six game unbeaten streak in the League faces the prospect of coming to a shuddering stop tonight. Southampton have not won in their last 17 league visits to Old Trafford and have been defeated 15 times. Their last victory here came in January 1988.
Team News
Man United De Gea, Evra, Ferdinand, Vidic, Rafael, Carrick, Cleverley, Giggs, Valencia, van Persie, Rooney
Southampton Davis, Clyne, Yoshida, Shaw, Fox, Puncheon, Ramirez, Lallana, Schneiderlin, Davis, Lambert Source:
BBC