Manchester United return from the September international break on Saturday lunchtime, visiting newly promoted Southampton.
The Red Devils are currently sitting in 14th place in the league table after just three games. A late opening day win against Fulham was followed by a late defeat at Brighton and a humiliating loss at the hands of bitter rivals Liverpool more recently. Erik ten Hag is finding himself under pressure.
A trip to Southampton shouldn’t be too difficult on paper. Saints have lost all three league games so far and scored just once, that strike coming in the 94th minute of their latest 3-1 defeat at Brentford.
Ever since Man Utd won the game 9-0 in February 2021, Southampton have pulled their socks up. The south coast side have won three of the last four meetings with the Red Devils. Going back, Southampton have picked up eight of their last 11 games against the 13-year-old Premier League champions.
Here it is 90 min guide to Southampton vs Man Utd in St. Mary’s this weekend.
Southampton vs Man Utd H2H Record (Last Five Matches)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Southampton |
Man Utd |
|---|---|
|
Brentford 3-1 Southampton – 31/08/24 |
Man Utd 0-3 Liverpool – 01/09/24 |
|
Cardiff 3-5 Southampton – 28/08/24 |
Brighton 2-1 Man Utd – 24/08/24 |
|
Southampton 0-1 Nottingham Forest – 24/08/24 |
Man Utd 1-0 Fulham – 16/08/24 |
|
Newcastle 1-0 Southampton – 17/08/24 |
Man City 1-1 (7-6p) Man Utd – 10/08/24 |
|
Southampton 0-0 Getafe – 10/08/24 |
Man Utd 0-3 Liverpool – 04/08/24 |
|
The country |
TV channel/live streaming |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate, discovery+, discovery+ app |
|
United States |
fuboTV, nbcsports.com, NBC Sports App, UNIVERSO NOW, UNIVERSO, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, USA Network |
|
Canada |
fuboTV |
After getting close to being fit before the international break, there is a chance that the duo of Ross Stewart and Kamaldeen Sulemana will be called into the squad for Saturday’s game. Gavin Bazunu is still unavailable and unlikely to return until 2025.
Bazunu’s injury was one of the reasons why Aaron Ramsdale was signed late in the window and the former Arsenal stopper made his debut against Brentford. Summer signing Yukinari Sugawara scored a fine consolation goal to open his account for Southampton in west London.
Southampton predicted to face Man Utd (3-5-2): Ramsdale; Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Stephens; Sugawara, Fernandes, Downes, Aribo, Walker-Peters; Archer, Brereton Diaz.
Man Utd is struggling with injuries already this season but they have many players who are ready to return after the international break. Luke Shaw and Rasmus Hojlund are nearing full fitness but may not be ready for the trip to St Mary’s this Saturday.
Leny Yoro, Victor Lindelof, Tyrell Malacia and Mason Mount remain suspended due to various fitness concerns, but the good news is that there could be a debut for unsigned summer signing Manuel Ugarte in time for Liverpool.
Man Utd predicted to face Southampton (4-2-3-1): Onana; Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot; Casemiro, Mainoo; Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford; Zirkzee.
Man Utd’s performance against Liverpool was very worrying but the Red Devils should have few problems against the Southampton side to get a Premier League point. Even on the road at lunchtime, the Red Devils should have trouble dispatching Russell Martin’s side.
Southampton’s three-man defense still features the back-to-back partnership that allowed nine at Man Utd a few years ago and defensive issues could be the theme of the season for the south coast side.
Prediction: Southampton 0-2 Man Utd
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