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It’s a big game for… Paul Pogba: Who else? First impressions stick and spectators will be eager to see just what it is that makes him an 80 million pound player – one of those world-class long shot goals he was famed for at Juventus should do it.
Best stat…
Manchester United have not won against Southampton at home since January 2013.
Player to watch… Marcus Rashford: While giving youth a chance is usually anathema to Mourinho, Rashford already showed last season that he was something really special and could be an interesting component of Man United’s attack this season.
Show all 11 1 /11Manchester United's best XI with Paul Pogba Manchester United's best XI with Paul Pogba David De Gea Has been Manchester United’s best player for the last four or five seasons and, after having a move to Real Madrid collapse last summer he is now more important than ever. He saved United repeatedly under David Moyes and Louis van Gaal and will hope under Jose Mourinho that there is less to do.
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Manchester United's best XI with Paul Pogba Matteo Darmian A good player whose first season at Old Trafford was badly affected by injuries, Darmian should improve next year under the guidance of Mourinho. He has played for a similarly prescriptive coach for Italy in Antonio Conte and will provide exactly what Mourinho wants in the role.
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Manchester United's best XI with Paul Pogba Chris Smalling One of United’s most improved players under Louis van Gaal, he established a leadership and consistency that he had lacked before. Now he is near the peak of his powers and gives Mourinho someone to build around at the back.
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Manchester United's best XI with Paul Pogba Eric Bailly The first of Mourinho’s summer signings, the £30million man from Villarreal has looked good in pre-season already. Will need to adjust to the speed of the Premier League but looks well equipped to do that and form a strong pairing with Smalling.
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Manchester United's best XI with Paul Pogba Luke Shaw Had his last season ruined by a broken leg against PSV Eindhoven and without him United lacked pace and width down the left. Mourinho will like his competitive attitude and Shaw will surely feature in Sam Allardyce’s England squads soon enough.
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Manchester United's best XI with Paul Pogba Morgan Schneiderlin Mourinho teams always have a midfield anchor, what he calls a ‘number 6’, and there is no-one better suited to the job at United now than Schneiderlin. Did not play as much as he should have done last year but that should change now.
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Manchester United's best XI with Paul Pogba Paul Pogba The big issue for Mourinho will be where to fit in the £100million man. There will be times when he plays alongside Schneiderlin in a 4-2-3-1, when United can afford to attack more, and others where he is pushed further up with two midfielders behind him. Finding the perfect platform will be Mourinho’s hardest task.
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Manchester United's best XI with Paul Pogba Henrikh Mkhitaryan Not the highest profile summer signing at Old Trafford but a technical wizard who excelled in his three seasons at Borussia Dortmund, which is why Arsenal wanted him too. Likelier to be on the right of a 4-2-3-1, where he will provide creativity and intelligence.
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Manchester United's best XI with Paul Pogba Wayne Rooney Mourinho said very clearly that Rooney will not play in midfield this season for United, so he will have to partner with Zlatan Ibrahimovic up front. Rooney will likely start as a second striker or number 10, but has a job to prove that he is still sharp enough for the job.
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Manchester United's best XI with Paul Pogba Anthony Martial Never looked weighed down by his fee last season and showed pace, class and natural calm in front of goal. Likely to continue on the left this season where he will provide pace on the break, as long as he does the defending Mourinho demands too.
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Manchester United's best XI with Paul Pogba Zlatan Ibrahimovic One final challenge for the big Swede who has won the league everywhere else he has played. Still has incredible strength and skill, even if he will be one of the slower strikers at the top this year. Just needs to find a way to be a focal point for his team-mates.
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Past three-meetings… Manchester United 0 Southampton 1 (Austin), Premier League, January 2016
Southampton 2 (Pelle x2) Manchester United 3 (Martial x2, Mata), Premier League, September 2015
Manchester United 0 Southampton 1 (Tadic), Premier League, January 2015
Form guide… MANCHESTER UNITED: WWWDWL
SOUTHAMPTON: DWDWWW
Vital information… KICK-OFF TIME: 20:00 Friday 19th August
TV: Live on Sky Sports 1 , highlights on BBC1
Odds… MANCHESTER UNITED TO WIN: 9/20
SOUTHAMPTON TO WIN: 7/1
DRAW: 18/5
(Odds provided by BetVictor )
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