Southampton may call Virgil van Dijk to stop Red tide

Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino is considering thrusting Virgil van Dijk into his starting line-up in an attempt to shackle free-scoring Manchester United tomorrow.

Van Dijk has not started a game for eight months after suffering a serious foot injury in January and then handing in a transfer request during the summer.

The 26-year-old made his first-team return as a substitute in the 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace last weekend and could now be called upon tomorrow in a bid to nullify a United side that has hit 16 goals in their opening five Premier League games.