Manchester United have the perfect chance to build on their recent encouraging performances when Southampton visit Old Trafford this evening.
A 2-2 draw in the Premier League with Liverpool was followed by a penalty shootout win at Arsenal in the FA Cup last weekend, despite playing with ten men from the 61st minute following the dismissal of full-back Diogo Dalot.
Head coach Ruben Amorim now wants to see the same fight and spirit in every game, with the next seven games against the Saints, Brighton, Fulham, Crystal Palace, Tottenham, Everton and Ipswich in what appears to be a chance for United to win back the season on course.
In today’s match program, the Portuguese wrote: “Over the past month we have been to the Etihad Stadium, Anfield and the Emirates Stadium – three of the toughest venues in the country – and have taken positive results from each one.” To achieve this, quality and character are required , but the task now is to show this in every single game, regardless of the opponent.”
The challenge for Southampton is to simply collect points regardless of the opponent.
After falling short of the championship last season, they managed just one win and three draws in 20 games. An immediate return to the second division seems inevitable.
Manchester United team news
Amorim made three changes to the team that performed so well at the Emirates.
Dalot is suspended, Amad Diallo is likely to play as a right wing-back while Noussair Mazraoui moves to the left wing.
Leny Yoro is preferred over Harry Maguire, while Andre Onana returns in goal in place of cup hero Altay Bayındır.
There was once again no place available for Marcus Rashford in the matchday squad.
Manchester United: Onana; Yoro, De Ligt, Martinez; Amad, Ugarte, Mainoo, Mazraoui; Garnacho, Fernandes, Hojlund
Here’s your Red Devils taking on the Saints 👊#MUFC || #MUNSOU
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 16, 2025
Southampton team news
Saints boss Ivan Juric made just one change from the team that beat Swansea City 3-0 in the FA Cup last weekend.
Japanese full-back Yukinari Sugawara came on for Ryan Manning.
Southampton: Ramsdale; Walker-Peters, Sugawara, Bednarek, Harwood-Bellis, Bree; Ugochukwu, Aribo; Fernandes, Camaldeen, Dibling
Your YELLOWS 💛 pic.twitter.com/yqR4gSipTj
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) January 16, 2025
