PREDICTED STARTING XI: Who will Jose Mourinho pick in a must-win game as Manchester United take on Southampton?

Manchester United travel to Southampton today looking for their first league win in three games play former-Red Devil Mark Hughes’ Southampton at St. Mary’s Stadium. But who will Jose Mourinho start in a must-win game for United?

Ali Akbar

David De Gea

Diogo Dalot, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Luke Shaw

Fred, Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba

Juan Mata, Romelu Lukaku, Anthony Martial

Since Victor Lindelof is injured, Jones is the most likely to partner Smalling at centre-back, with Dalot finally making his league debut at right-back.

Since Fred had a great game against Young Boys, he is likely to stay in the team.

Alexis Sanchez is injured with Jose Mourinho confirming this week that the Chilean is out until January. Romelu Lukaku is likely to start at centre-forward too.

Takudzwa Chikonzo

David De Gea

Diogo Dalot, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Luke Shaw

Fred, Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba

Juan Mata, Romelu Lukaku, Anthony Martial

Lindelof’s injury gives Jones another chance to impress at the back. I’m very excited to see how Dalot plays in his first start.

Fred’s energy would be needed in a game that Southampton will look to win on the counter.

And I believe this is a big game for Lukaku, in the absence of Sanchez, the Belgian has to show his worth. He has not scored in almost three months for Manchester United and netting today in a game Jose Mourinho has to win, would be great for his confidence.

David De Gea

Diogo Dalot, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Luke Shaw

Marouane Fellaini, Nemanja Matic

Marcus Rashford, Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial

Romelu Lukaku

I agree with the other lads about Phil Jones. His performance on Tuesday night was a very good one given the circumstances and I expect him to come in for the injured Lindelof.

Despite Fred’s positive performance in the week, I feel Jose Mourinho will plump for Marouane Fellaini once again. Mark Hughes’ sides are gritty and dogged, and judging by Mourinho’s comments in the week about the big Belgian, I would be very surprised if he didn’t start.

If Fellaini is in a two with Nemanja Matic as opposed to him occupying the number 10 role, then Paul Pogba could find himself higher up the pitch expected to start the counter attacks.

And finally, Marcus Rashford’s display on Tuesday night was a positive one in my eyes despite the chances he missed. To see the youngster running at defenders, showing off all the trickery he has in his arsenal in a Manchester United shirt as opposed to just an England one, was a delight.

So I hope, possibly more than think, Mourinho will include Rashford, but to accommodate Lukaku, have to shift him out wide.