Wayne Rooney’s 78-minute winner against Liverpool at Anfield last Sunday may have provided some respite for Manchester United and beleaguered manager Louis van Gaal, but, once again, the Red Devils were hardly convincing.

Southampton, on the other hand, are on the crest of wave after consecutive home wins against Watford and West Bromwich Albion at St. Mary’s. Even without last season’s top scorer Graziano Pelle, who played an aggregate of just nine minutes, the Saints were outstanding in both fixtures and appear to be rediscovering the form that took them to seventh place in the Premier League last season.

The likes of Shane Long, Dusan Tadic and Sadio Mane – not to mention James Ward-Prowse, who scored a brace against West Brom – have all been in sparkling form of late and the addition of Charlie Austin to the squad can only bolster confidence. The Saints’ have lost their last three away games in the Premier League, to Norwich, West Ham and Crystal Palace, but they seem likely to be a different proposition this time.

United keeper David de Gea looks in for another busy afternoon and Saints’ are worthy of support at 21/5 with Bet Victor.

Selection: Southampton to win (21/5 with Bet Victor)