Early team news for Saints showdown

The Reds face a Saints side that pulled off a superb, and fully deserved, 3-2 win at Tottenham on Wednesday, in the game that kicks off the Premier League weekend.

Our training pictures from Carrington show some good news with Alex Telles back among the squad after being forced to isolate due to COVID-19.

The left-back's fellow Brazil international Fred, however, is still unavailable after also testing positive for the virus.

Eric Bailly is still missing, after returning from Africa Cup of Nations duty with a swollen ankle, while interim manager Ralf Rangnick will be deciding whether to recall Cristiano Ronaldo, after our leading scorer started the draw at Burnley on the bench.

The boss made two changes to his line-up at Turf Moor, with David De Gea and Edinson Cavani drafted into the side, and Jesse Lingard came off the bench for his first action since the 2-2 draw at Aston Villa. Scott McTominay appeared to sustain a heavy knock but will hopefully be available for the 12:30 GMT kick-off.

SOUTHAMPTON'S TEAM NEWS

Chelsea loanee Armando Broja, who scored in the win at Spurs, also needed treatment for a head injury but was able to play on. The Saints are treating Tino Livramento carefully after a knee problem, but he is likely to return to the fold at Old Trafford.

Lyanco is out for up to 12 weeks with hamstring damage and he joins Alex McCarthy, Nathan Tella and Nathan Redmond on the sidelines.

Manager Ralph Hasenhutl said: "We are more flexible technically. We have more options on the bench. I made, today, 10 changes in the starting XI and this is key when you have a week like we have now and you can trust every player. This is what we need to have. It's easier than last season as we have quality and we can act and this is good for the manager."