Southampton have lost both their matches since returning to the Premier League and face another difficult assignment, even if Manchester United are still troubled by various injury issues. Sir Alex Ferguson's side have looked vulnerable at times in defence during their opening two games, which should at least give the home side some encouragement after last week's defeat to Wigan Athletic. Gastón Ramírez was not signed in time to figure but Emmanuel Mayuka, the new Zambian striker, stands by to make his debut at some point. Daniel Taylor

Venue St Mary's Stadium, Sunday 4pm

Tickets £38-48 (02381 780780)

Last season n/a

Referee Mike Dean

This season's matches 2 Y40, R0, 2.00 cards per game

Odds Southampton 11-2 Man Utd 3-5 Draw 7-2

Southampton v Manchester United: Probable starters in bold, contenders in light. Photograph: Graphic

Southampton

Subs from Gazzaniga, Hammond, Ward‑Prowse, Cork, Lee, Richardson, Mayuka, De Ridder, Chaplow, Puncheon

Doubtful De Ridder (calf), Cork (ankle)

Injured None

Suspended None

Unavailable Ramírez, Yoshida (late signings)

Form guide LL

Disciplinary record Y2 R0

Leading scorers S Davis, Lambert 1

Manchester United

Subs from Lindegaard, Welbeck, Giggs, Hernández, Powell, Scholes, Macheda, Bébé, Buttner, Anderson, Wootton, King

Doubtful None

Injured Ferdinand (hamstring, 15 Sept), Jones (back, 15 Sept), Young (knee, 15 Sept), Rooney (gash, 23 Sept), Smalling (metatarsal, Oct), Fletcher (bowel, unknown)

Suspended None

Form guide WL

Disciplinary record Y2 R0

Leading scorers Da Silva, Kagawa, Van Persie 1

Match pointers

• United have allowed more shots on target against them (13) than any other side

• Southampton have won 38% of their home matches with United in the Premier League, only Arsenal and Chelsea have a better record

• Robin van Persie was sent off in his only previous Premier League appearance at St Mary's Stadium

• Southampton were the top-scoring home team (49) in the Championship last season

• Since the start of 2010-11, United's win ratio with Wayne Rooney in the team is 71%, compared to 55% without him