Since finishing eighth in the Premier League in 2016-17, Southampton have largely been a side close to the relegation zone, with four of their last five seasons seeing them finish 17th, 16th, 15th and 15th.
The Saints have made an impressive start to the 2022-23 campaign, though, opening with a 2-2 draw against Leeds United at St Mary’s before recording a 2-1 win over Leicester City last time out.
James Maddison sent the Foxes ahead in the 54th minute of the contest, but Che Adams scored twice off the bench to help Southampton secure all three points, and Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side were also victorious on Tuesday evening, recording a 3-0 win at Cambridge United to progress to the third round of the EFL Cup.
Southampton now have back-to-back home Premier League games against Man United and Chelsea, but they struggled for consistency in front of their own supporters last term, only winning six of their 19 matches, picking up 25 points in the process.
The Saints have not actually beaten Man United in the Premier League since January 2016, while their last home league success over the Red Devils was back in 2003, but both fixtures between the two sides last term finished in 1-1 draws.
Man United, meanwhile, will enter this weekend’s contest off the back of a morale-boosting 2-1 victory over Liverpool, with Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford on the scoresheet at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils lost their opening two league games of the season against Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford, but the feel-good factor is back ahead of this match due to the win over the Reds, which saw the 20-time English champions put in their best performance for some time.
Erik ten Hag’s side will now be looking to back up the victory this weekend, and there could be a debut for the club’s latest arrival Casemiro, who has now had his first training session with the club.