Man Utdvs.Southampton

Juric is hopeful that Downes will be fit to feature after missing the last three games with a thigh injury, while fellow midfielder Matheus Fernandes is available to return after missing the Saints' 5-0 Premier League defeat to Brentford through suspension.

In addition, Will Smallbone made a welcome return from injury in Southampton's 3-0 win over Swansea City in the FA Cup third round last weekend, while goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu featured for the club's Under-21s last Friday and is in contention to play after recovering from a long-term Achilles injury.

However, three players who remain in the treatment room are defensive duo Jack Stephens and Juan Larios (both unspecified) and striker Ross Stewart (hamstring).

Nathan Wood and Jan Bednarek are set be recalled at centre-back to play alongside Taylor Harwood-Bellis, while James Bree could move up to right wing-back if Kyle Walker-Peters shifts over to the left flank.

Lesley Ugochukwu, Joe Aribo, Fernandes, Smallbone and potentially Downes will all be battling for starts in midfield, while Juric will weigh up whether to use Tyler Dibling and Kamaldeen Sulemana as central forwards or move them out wide to accommodate one of Paul Onuachu, Cameron Archer or Adam Armstrong down the middle of his attack.

Southampton possible starting lineup: Ramsdale; Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Wood; Bree, Ugochukwu, Fernandes, Walker-Peters; Dibling, Archer, Sulemana

Written by

Oliver Thomas