Manchester United v Southampton preview: Eljero Elia set to make Saints debut

Manchester United v Southampton preview: Eljero Elia set to make Saints debut

Team news, manager quotes, tweets, videos, fantasy pick and match odds for the Premier League match between Manchester United and Southampton at Old Trafford.

TEAM NEWS Ashley Young is the only player unavailable. The wide man will be out for four to six weeks with a hamstring injury he suffered on New Year's Day at Stoke. New goalkeeper Victor Valdes is expected to be in the United squad while Rafael (cheekbone), Luke Shaw (ankle), Marcos Rojo (thigh), Daley Blind (knee), Marouane Fellaini (illness) and Antonio Valencia (groin) have overcome their respective problems. Nathaniel Clyne and Jack Cork could return for Southampton's trip to Manchester United, where new signing Eljero Elia is in line for his debut. Right-back Clyne this week returned to training after an ankle injury and will be assessed before the match, while midfielder Cork is available after an ankle complaint of his own. Elia is in the squad for the first time since joining on loan from Werder Bremen, although Jay Rodriguez (cruciate ligament) and Sam Gallagher (knee) remain absent. Japan defender Maya Yoshida has left for international duty at the AFC Asia Cup and Sadio Mane has a calf complaint, keeping him out of this match and with Saints for the time being despite being included in Senegal's African Nations Cup squad.

MANAGER QUOTES Louis van Gaal: "I am very happy. We only have one player injured. That's the first time that has happened in my career at Manchester United." Ronald Koeman: "If teams like Barcelona lose games there is always a lot of critics, rumours, speculations. And I know that, because my whole life I am linked to Barcelona. But it is not a time to talk about that. It is not respectful to the people of Southampton or Barcelona. I am very happy to be here. I started a contract in Southampton, and I like to respect my contract and the people." MATCH BUZZ

MATCH FACTS Robin van Persie has scored seven goals in seven Premier League appearances against Southampton. Southampton have dropped fewer points than any other team from winning positions in the Barclays Premier League (2). The Red Devils are unbeaten in their last 10 Premier League matches (W7 D3 L0) Sadio Mane has scored in each of his last three Premier League appearances but is now injured. Manchester United have kept only four clean sheets in their last 12 Premier League games but no team has scored against them more than once in that run. James Ward-Prowse has assisted three goals in his last three league appearances. Louis van Gaal’s side have won eight and lost none of their last nine Premier League games at Old Trafford. Manchester United scored two goals from just three shots (two on target) when they beat Saints at St Mary’s at the start of December. United have won six and lost none of their last eight Premier League matches against Southampton Man Utd have won 16 and drawn three of their last 19 home league games since Saints last won at Old Trafford (2-0) in January 1988. FANTASY PICK Wayne Rooney: Named England's player of the year by fans this week. Also a favourite among United supporters as he might show here. 

MATCH ODDS Man Utd evens, Southampton 7-2, Draw 13-5