Football: Weekend guide to the Premiership - Manchester United v Southampton Last season: 1-0

ALEX FERGUSON, the United manager, has to decide whether to risk Jaap Stam against Southampton at Old Trafford today. Stam has been having treatment on a hamstring injury all week and may start on the bench as Ferguson eyes next Wednesday's Champions' League quarter-final first leg match against Internazionale. United have no fresh injury worries, leaving Ferguson with plenty of options against the Saints.

Matt Le Tissier, Southampton's inconsistent midfielder, is poised to return to their starting line-up following injury. Le Tissier has been out for four weeks with a torn hamstring but made an untroubled comeback for the reserves in midweek. The Channel Islander is likely to replace Hassan Kachloul, the Moroccan international, who is away on international duty. Mark Hughes misses the game against his former club because of suspension. James Beattie, however, is optimistic of a return despite a groin injury, while Stuart Ripley is battling to recover from a calf problem. Francis Benali and Scott Marshall are both back in contention following long-term injuries.

MANCHESTER UNITED (from): Schmeichel, G Neville, Johnsen, Berg, Stam, Irwin, P Neville, Beckham, Keane, Butt, Scholes, Blomqvist, Giggs, Cole, Yorke, Solskjaer, Brown, van der Gouw.

SOUTHAMPTON: (from): Jones, Dodd, Monkou, Lundekvam, Colleter, Le Tissier, Marsden, Oakley, Bridge, Ostenstad, Beattie, Benali, Hiley, Marshall, D Hughes, Howells, Bradley, Monk, Moss.

Suspensions: Southampton: Hughes.

Referee: P Jones.