Man Utd v Southampton

• 20:15 GMT on BT Sport 1
• Match odds:

Just as everyone was getting excited about Manchester United, they've hit a little blip. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be keen for his side to pick up three points against Southampton on Tuesday night to ensure it remains just that.

This time last week they were heading into a home game against rock-bottom Sheffield United, statistically the worst team ever at the halfway stage of a Premier League season, knowing that victory would send them back to the top.

Even though Manchester United were poor, and the Blades valiant, the latter's collecting of just their second win of the campaign was not without its fortune.

The Red Devils were then involved in a forgettable goalless draw with Arsenal on Saturday - a match they should have won. Edinson Cavani missed two glorious chances, and like defeat against Sheffield United, Solskjaer's men comfortably won the expected goals (xG) battle.

There shouldn't be any panic at Old Trafford, as over a long period of time United have consistently been doing enough to win.

The same cannot be said of Southampton, who have tasted victory only once in eight Premier League fixtures.

Even during their early-season purple patch, Ralph Hasenhuttl's team were often being outplayed but scraping to three points. Before the weekend they had lost the xG battle in nine of their last 11 league games. Ironic, then, that Saturday's 1-0 home loss to Aston Villa came having been thoroughly dominant.

Saints laid siege to the Villa goal in the closing stages, with a combination of last-ditch defending, excellent goalkeeping and a marginal VAR call denying them; the xG numbers, Southampton (2.51xG) v Villa (0.77xG), fairly reflect the contest.

Manchester United should win this game, but there is simply no value in backing them at 1/2.