Manchester United visit Southampton on Wednesday night (7.45pm kick-off) knowing that their Premier League top four hopes are over for another season.

Jose Mourinho’s men suffered their second successive league defeat at the weekend by going down 2-1 at Tottenham, a result which saw them fall seven points behind neighbours Manchester City in fourth with just two games of the campaign remaining.

However, their Champions League hopes aren’t completely dead given that they participate in the Europa League final next week, where they will face Dutch giants Ajax in Stockholm.

And that means that the Premier League will become less of a priority for Mourinho and United in the next few days, which may well increase Southampton’s chances of sealing a fourth successive top-half finish.

Claude Puel’s men are currently ninth in the division but only three points clear of West Ham in 12th, yet with most sides below them only playing once more this term, a victory on Wednesday would go someway to securing another top ten finish for the South Coast outfit.

Nonetheless, United will likely go in as favourites on Wednesday night, although Mourinho may well rotate his squad around given they have three games in seven days, including that Europa League final.

Thus, here are THREE Man United stars who deserve a chance against Southampton…

Matteo Darmian

With the Europa League final to come next week, but two Premier League games before then, Mourinho will likely use all of his squad over the coming few days to maximise their chances of beating Ajax in the showpiece.

And that could mean that full-back Matteo Darmian earns a recall against Southampton on Wednesday.

The Italy international was an unused substitute in their 2-1 defeat to Tottenham last weekend to suggest that he’ll play at some stage over the coming days, and with Mourinho somewhat restricted with his full-back options, Darmian may indeed get the nod against Southampton on Wednesday.

Marouane Fellaini

Belgium international Marouane Fellaini has served his three-match domestic ban for headbutting Sergio Aguero in the Manchester derby back on April 27, and thus could be given a start against Southampton.

And with the Europa League final to come, Mourinho may well recall the midfielder against the Saints.

Fellaini netted the key goal in their second leg victory over Celta Vigo last week, but having not played against Spurs due to suspension, he is probably one of the freshest members of the Red Devils squad, so Mourinho may well call upon him at St Mary’s on Wednesday night.

Ander Herrera

Mourinho may well give those players he wants to play in the Europa League final a start against Southampton on Wednesday, which means that Ander Herrera is likely to return to the fold.

The Spain international was dropped to the bench against Spurs on Sunday although did play the last half an hour, but given his overall season thus far and significance to the United midfield, he is almost a shoe-in to play against Ajax next week.

And, as a result, you’d expect him to feature at St Mary’s instead of their clash at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday.