Manchester United vs Southampton team news: Angel Di Maria, Daley Blind and Luke Shaw in side

Louis van Gaal has been bolstered by the return to fitness of a number of players

A view outside Old Trafford (GETTY IMAGES)

Louis van Gaal has been able to name a strong Manchester United line-up after a number of his players returned to fitness since their last Premier League game - although there is no Radamel Falcao in the squad.

Angel Di Maria, who featured in the recent FA Cup win over Yeovil, starts at Old Trafford for the visit of Southampton. Daley Blind is among the midfielders whilst in a four-man defence Luke Shaw plays at left-back and Antonio Valencia is at right-back.

LIVE: Manchester United vs Southampton

The game appears to have come too soon for Rafael though, who is not in the side at all.

Meanwhile, new signing Victor Valdes takes his place on the bench.

Falcao is absent altogether - with the explanation that he is being rested . The Colombian was not thought to be injured.

For Ronald Koeman's Southampton side, Nathaniel Clyne, who has been linked with a move to Manchester United, has overcome an ankle injury and is in the starting XI. Jack Cork however remains out.

Manchester United: De Gea, Valencia, Jones, Smalling, Shaw, Blind, Carrick, Rooney, Mata, Di Maria, van Persie

Valdes, Evans, McNair, Blackett, Fellaini, Herrera, Wilson.

Southampton: Forster, Clyne, Fonte, Alderweireld, Bertrand, Wanyama, Schneiderlin, S. Davis, Ward-Prowse, Elia, Pellè.

K. Davis (GK), Gardos, Long, Tadić, Isgrove, Reed, Targett.