Skip to content

Southampton won't fear Man Utd's Paul Pogba, says Matt Le Tissier

Paul Pogba
Image: Paul Pogba is expected to make his second debut on Friday Night Football

Matt Le Tissier does not believe Southampton's players will fear facing Paul Pogba as the world's most expensive player returns to the Premier League.

Manchester United host the Saints on Friday Night Football, live on Sky Sports 1 from 6.30pm, with Jose Mourinho confirming Pogba is ready to feature after missing the opening weekend due to a one-match ban.

Le Tissier admits United look a stronger outfit under Mourinho, but is still confident his former club can get a result at Old Trafford for a third successive season, having recorded victories in their two previous visits.

Paul Pogba at first team training
Image: Paul Pogba won't be

"I don't think Pogba's name on the team sheet will strike fear into the Southampton players and I wouldn't expect him to be at the races straight away," Matt Le Tissier told Sky Sports.

"After a long Euros and then the protracted transfer saga, which means he was unable to get a full pre-season under his belt, I think it will be a case of him improving as the season goes on.

Live Friday Night Football

"I wouldn't expect him to come in and score double figures in his first season in the Premier League. He didn't manage that in a very good Juventus team so I can't see it happening in a much tougher league.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates scoring Manchester United's  third goal
Image: Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored in both appearances for United

"It will be interesting to see how he settles in as Eric Bailly and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have obviously made good impressions and they've definitely improved.

Also See:

"You don't spend that sort of money and not get better, but I still think the team will need a bit of time to bed in."

Le Tiss' tips
Le Tiss' tips

Find out what Le Tiss is predicting at 66/1 for Man Utd v Southampton here.

United opened their account with a 3-1 victory at Bournemouth, but the Saints had to come from behind to salvage a point against Watford at St Mary's.

However, Le Tissier is confident they have players capable of troubling United, despite losing Sadio Mane and Graziano Pelle in the summer.

He added: "Dusan Tadic started to look like the main man towards the end of last season and has started really sharply.

Dusan Tadic scored twice for Southampton at Villa Park
Image: Dusan Tadic scored seven goals and assisted another 12 last season

"If you look at his stats from last season he wasn't far behind Dimitri Payet in terms of goals and assists.

"Nathan Redmond has also looked really sharp in pre-season and it was no surprise to me that he scored in the opening game.

"I watched him in training the other day and the lad definitely knows where the back of the net is. He's a good value pick for your Sky Sports Fantasy Football team."

Le Tissier has picked his Fantasy Six-a-Side team for Southampton v Manchester United, leaving the world's most expensive player out of his line-up...

Fantasy Six-a-Side
Fantasy Six-a-Side
Fantasy Six-a-Side

Think you can beat Le Tiss' team? Pick yours here to win £5k.

Around Sky