Premier League: Manchester United vs Southampton
Preview of the Manchester United vs Southampton game
Southampton coach Ivan Juric says he is “optimistic” his new team can beat Manchester United at Old Trafford on Thursday after having to wait 11 games for a win.
The Saints suffered a run of three straight defeats and scored as many goals as they had in their previous eight games with one 3-0 home win over Championship visitors Swansea City in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday.
“We can do it,” Juric said of the prospect of adding a first road win of the season to his first since taking over on Dec. 21.
“It’s a good game. The boys are working well. They’re a bit more confident after the Swansea game… I think with the games and training they’re starting to do the things I want them to do. It’s normal.
Old Trafford awaits you 📍 pic.twitter.com/FP1AATPKFn
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) January 14, 2025
“It’s just a mindset to do the things (required). If you train with intensity, pressing and aggressiveness, that’s how you’ll play.”
Juric described United colleague Ruben Amorim’s use of a 3-4-3 formation at former club Sporting Lisbon as “almost perfect”.
“He wants to do the same thing at Manchester United,” added the Croatian, whose side are 10 points clear of safety and 17 points behind their opponents in 14th place.
Amorim sees the challenge as a tough test for the character of his players, which has often been questioned. Less than two months after his appointment, Amorim said United’s 2-2 draw at Liverpool on January 5, which ended a run of four straight defeats, drove him “crazy” because of the unpredictable quality of the performances he oversaw .
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 13, 2025
United delivered another surprise result and an impressive display of determination on Sunday, knocking Arsenal out of the FA Cup on penalties at the Emirates Stadium, despite Diogo Dalot being sent off after 61 minutes and reduced to ten men.
“We have to deliver – or try to,” Amorim added. “But the most important thing is to fight in the game and… win in the end.”
A good omen for Amorim is that United are unbeaten in 16 meetings with Southampton in almost nine years, although three of their last five meetings since the hosts’ 9-0 win at Old Trafford in February 2021 have ended in a draw.
Man United vs Southampton team news
Dalot will be missing for the first time this season, while the full-back is suspended for one game for his two appearances at Arsenal. Tyrell Malacia, who replaced him against the Gunners, could start at left-back.
Amorim says 21 years old Toby Collyerwho played in this position in the EFL Cup this season, he also caught his eye in training.
You have to want it.#MUFC pic.twitter.com/GMkXBu0qQO
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 13, 2025
Noussair Mazraoui could also switch sides, potentially allowing Amad Diallo, Alejandro Garnacho or Antony to start on the right.
Defenders Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans and Luke Shaw remain out through injury, as does midfielder Mason Mount, while Andre Onana, an ever-present in the Premier League since joining in 2023, is likely to replace Altay Bayindir in goal despite the Turks’ international heroics against Arsenal.
Southampton defender Jack Stephens, who was sent off in the 3-0 home defeat to United in September, will miss the game through injury.
Striker Ross Stewart is also out, but Flynn Downes could return The defensive midfielder suffered a hamstring injury on December 26th.
“(Flynn) did his first practice (on Tuesday) and he’s doing well,” Juric told reporters. “We’ll see if he can play from the start or later.”
“Scored a few tap-ins” 👏 pic.twitter.com/p2uS2Py5VZ
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) January 13, 2025
Man United vs Southampton expected lineups
Man United: Onana; Yoro, De Ligt, Martinez; Amad Diallo, Mainoo, Ugarte, Malacia; Fernandes, Hojlund, Garnacho
Southampton: Ramsdale; Bednarek, Harwood-Bellis, Wood; Walker-Peters, Fernandes, Aribo, Ugochukwu, Manning; Dibling, Armstrong
