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Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho will be without several key players for Saturday’s clash with Southampton at Old Trafford.

After dropping more points at home to Burnley on Boxing Day, United find themselves 15 points behind rivals Manchester City — the biggest points gap between first and second place after 20 games in English top-flight history.

Two wins in their last five games has also opened the door for the chasing pack, with Chelsea now just a point behind in third.

The temptation to rest out-of-form Romelu Lukaku has not crossed Mourinho’s mind, though. Mourinho said his striker, who has played every single minute of United’s 20 Premier League games, is “tired” having scored just four times in 19 games, yet he feels he cannot give him a rest.

“The guy (Lukaku) is fantastic for me and for the team,” Mourinho said. “He gives absolutely everything and I have no criticism. Can I give him a rest? No, I can’t.”

Southampton have lost four of their last seven Premier League matches, failing to produce a win since late November, and were brushed aside by Tottenham with ease on Boxing Day.

“I was analysing that game (Tottenham) but I think now our target is to bounce back in the Southampton way, to play with more character and be more clinical in ways,” manager Mauricio Pellegrino said.

Anthony Martial and Matteo Darmian both returned to training on Thursday but remain doubtful with the knocks that kept them out against Burnley, while Chris Smalling and Antonio Valencia are also unlikely to feature. Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini and Eric Bailly are all out.

Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk will join Liverpool on January 1, so will not feature. Charlie Austin is unavailable as he must serve the second of his three-match ban for violent conduct and the forward is also affected by a significant hamstring injury.

Ryan Bertrand (hamstring) faces a late fitness test, but Cedric Soares (ankle) will not feature for Pellegrino’s side. — Skysports