Here’s our Manchester United Vs Southampton FC preview, prediction, team news and predicted lineups ahead of Thursday’s Premier League clash at Old Trafford.
Manchester United Vs Southampton FC Preview
Ruben Amorim’s Red Devils stunned Arsenal in the FA Cup third round on Sunday.
They took the lead at the Emirates in the second half through skipper Bruno Fernandes.
Then, despite losing Diogo Dalot to a 63rd-minute red card, United held on for a 1-1 draw to take the game to extra time.
Penalties followed, with Joshua Zirkzee netting the decisive spot-kick for a memorable evening in North London.
Such nights have been few and far between for United in recent times. Ruben Amorim’s arrival in the dugout has brought added grit and aggression, but they are still 14th in the table and closer to relegation than Europe.
United host a Southampton side that have propped up the table all season. The sorry Saints are on course to match Derby’s unwanted record for the worst side in Premier League history.
Ivan Juric has come in after manager Russell Martin was sacked, but it has done little to improve their fortunes.
A 3-0 win against Championship club Swansea at the weekend showed us glimpses of the side that won promotion last season.
But never has a team epitomised the gulf in quality between the two divisions like Southampton.
Devoid of confidence and boasting just one league win this season, the Saints will need a miracle to take anything away from Old Trafford.
Our first home game of the year is up next 🔜👊#MUFC || #PL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 14, 2025
Manchester United Vs Southampton FC Team News
With his future at the club uncertain, Marcus Rashford may miss out on selection for United.
If he does, he will be joined on the sidelines by the injured quartet of Luke Shaw (calf), Mason Mount (thigh), Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans (both unspecified).
Diogo Dalot is suspended for one game after picking up two yellow cards against Arsenal.
That means Tyrell Malacia could slot on on the left side of defence, with Noussair Mazraoui on the right.
Leny Yoro impressed against the Gunners and will be hoping to start, while Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund battle it out to lead the line.
Southampton, meanwhile, are still without long-term absentees Ross Stewart (hamstring) and Juan Larios (unspecified) as well as defender Jack Stephens.
Midfielder Flynn Downes is hoping to be fit, with Ivan Juric saying he thinks the ex-West Ham man should be fit.
Will Smallbone returned from a lengthy layoff at the weekend, while keeper Gavin Bazunu and new signing Wellington both featured for the U21s last week.
Matheus Fernandes is back from serving a one-game suspension, while star-boy Tyler Dibling should start in attack alongside weekend goalscorer Kamaldeen Sulemana.
Manchester United Vs Southampton FC Lineups
Manchester United: Onana; De Ligt, Maguire, Martinez; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Mainoo, Malacia; Diallo, Fernandes; Hojlund
Southampton: Ramsdale; Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Wood; Bree, Ugochukwu, Fernandes, Walker-Peters; Dibling, Archer, Sulemana
Manchester United Vs Southampton FC Prediction
United have blown hot and cold under Ruben Amorim, but are beginning to develop a clear identity.
Gutsy performances against Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City in recent weeks have shown the blueprint for success, and they will expect to win this one comfortably.
Southampton are all but mathematically down already, and would take a seemingly impossible turnaround to stay up.
We don’t expect their great escape attempt to start this week, though – if it happens at all.
Prediction: Manchester United 3-1 Southampton
