Jose Mourinho has cemented United's excellent start to the season by sweeping past Burton Albion in the Carabao Cup midweek.
The Red Devils are level at the top of the Premier League with rivals City and will be aiming to stay their despite Paul Pogba's absence through injury.
Saints pose a threat though, particularly away from home, and could take advantage if United are overlooking them.
Mourinho will be aware of the tricky trip to Moscow next week in the Champions League against CSKA.
After opening with a victory over Basel, three points in Russia will set them up nicely to secure their qualification.
The other story at Old Trafford this week has been the offensive Romelu Lukaku song, with the Belgian striker now urging fans to stop singing it.
"Great backing since I joined #MUFC," said Lukaku. "Fans have meant well with their songs but let's move on together #RespectEachOther".
Mourinho highlights main difference between last year and this year
Mourinho adds more on the hectic schedule coming up: “Unless in the domestic cups you are always in the cold balls and some clubs are always in the hot balls.
“But I’m not worried about it. I know it’s difficult to play at home, it’s difficult to play away, it’s probably more difficult to play away. But if we can’t win, we try to get a point. We go to win every match, but if its impossible to win all the time, we try to get points.
“At his moment we have three Premier League wins at Old Trafford, we won the Champions League match, we won a cup match, so if we manage to change so many draws of last season to victories, it would be great. For example, West Ham and Everton, two points against them at Old Trafford, this season six points.”
Mourinho on Martial
“I see a great improvement in the person, in the mood, in the face, in the body language,” said Mourinho. “If you want just a word, in the happiness.
“He’s a happy guy, he’s working extremly well. He starts matches, he tries to do well.
“He goes from the bench, even it is for 10 minutes like in the last match at home, he tries to enjoy and try to give something in these extra minutes.
“I am very pleased with his attitude overall and then it’s easier to play well.”
Mourinho on Carabao Cup win
“We were not thinking of the momentum, not thinking of the next game’s importance in the Premier League match. No, that victory was important because we go into the next draw and the next stage of the competition.”
Mourinho on tricky away run ahead
Man United face six of their next seven games away from home, is Mourinho nervous?
“It is difficult, but it means it’s going to be easier later. If we play now, CSKA in Moscow and Benfica in Lisbon, it means, later, we are going to play them at Old Trafford. If we have consecutive matches away at Liverpool and Huddersfield it means later we will play them at Old Trafford, so I’m never too worried about matches home and away because the number of matches is going to be the same.”
Mourinho on the club's finance
Mourinho has commented on the club’s healthy financial situation.
“The club financially looks really strong and better than ever, according to the numbers. Where the football team is improving not just in results but in a certain style of play. Where the connection between the players the fans, and the team looks stronger and stronger. Where the United fans around the world have more reasons to smile than in the recent past, so I think it’s about globality.”
Mourinho on Saints
Mourinho is impressed by Saints’ stability and the way they try to play football.
“Southampton is the kind of club that are very stable in the way they play and in the way they see football, the qualities of their players,” Mourinho says. “I think it’s a good team to be a manager of. Honestly, I think it’s a very good club to be manager of. And I see the match tomorrow as a very difficult match.”
Mourinho on Pogba
Mourinho offers an update on Pogba’s probable return date - sort of:
“I have no idea [when he will be back],” he stated. “No idea. But, again, it’s a great opportunity for other players to play and I trust them all. So I’m not going to cry or be counting the days until Pogba comes back, not at all. When he comes back, welcome, but until then, I trust my people.”
Injuries and team selection
We’ll hear from Mourinho on the state of Pogba.
Also, Marcos Rojo’s progress as he bids to return from injury.
Do the players who performed well midweek have the chance to start again against Saints?
Mourinho will be speaking with us very shortly.
Manchester United battling Arsenal and Chelsea for Genoa wonderkid Pietro Pellegri
Manchester United have entered the race for Genoa’s teenage sensation Pietro Pellegri.
Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City have all been credited with an interest in the 16-year-old.
Pellegri has shot to stardom this season and scored a stunning brace against Lazio last week.
The young gun is understood to have been close to joining Inter in the summer before the Serie A club’s owners blocked the deal.
AC Milan and Juventus have also been linked with Pellegri and asked about his availability.
McTominay: I can only get better
Scott McTominay has been speaking to MUTV about the difference between an under-23 game and the first team after coming on for the Red Devils midweek against Burton Albion.
You have to think quicker, you have to be quicker on the ball, and you have to move your feet quicker. You just have to be switched on so much more than the Under-23s games.
Eventually, you will just end up adapting to the scenarios within the game, moving your feet quicker, checking your shoulder and everything. So it’s been great for me to be training in this kind of environment and I can only get better.
Romelu Lukaku breaks his silence on 'racist' chant with a message for Manchester United supporters
Romelu Lukaku knows Manchester United fans “meant well with their songs” but hopes everyone can move on from chanting Kick It Out called “racist”.
The 24-year-old has swiftly established himself as a fans’ favourite since his big-money summer switch from Everton, thanks in no small part to six goals in as many games.
Lukaku already has a couple of chants in his honour, although one to the tune of the Stone Roses’ Made of Stone has caused controversy as it references the size of his penis - a song the striker hopes will stop.
“Great backing since I joined £MUFC,” he was quoted as saying on the club’s official Twitter account. “Fans have meant well with their songs but let’s move on together. #RespectEachOther”
