Seeking to build on their positive FA Cup results last weekend, struggling Premier League duo Manchester United and Southampton square off at Old Trafford on Thursday night.
The two teams meet for the first time since September last year when the Red Devils secured a 3-0 victory over the Saints at St Mary's.
Match preview
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Man United may have failed to win each of their last six games across all competitions in 90 minutes, but their last two results away against Liverpool and Arsenal will have given head coach Ruben Amorim some hope in turning the club's fortunes around in the near future.
After unexpectedly snatching a point from runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool in a 2-2 draw at Anfield just over a week ago, FA Cup holders Man United dumped Arsenal out of the third round on Sunday, as the 10-man Red Devils claimed a 5-3 penalty-shootout win at the Emirates, courtesy of an inspired display from goalkeeper Altay Bayindir.
Amorim was pleased with how his team "competed" and "fought" for victory over Arsenal and he has urged his players to produce more spirited performances if they wish to climb the Premier League table - Man United are currently languishing in 13th place following a run of just one win in seven top-flight games.
Sitting closer to the relegation zone than the top four, Man United will be determined to put a positive run of form together in the coming weeks, with all of their next seven fixtures against teams currently outside of the top eight, starting with a favourable one at home to basement club Southampton on Thursday.
The Red Devils, who are seeking to avoid a fourth straight home defeat, are unbeaten in their last 15 Premier League meetings with the Saints, although they have drawn eight of those including their last two at Old Trafford.
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It is fair to say that Southampton have endured a rough return to top-flight action this season and after 20 games are now officially the worst team in Premier League history, as they sit rock bottom with only six points and a goal difference of -32.
Even the infamous Derby County side of 2007-08, who were relegated with just 10 points, had more points at this stage of the campaign, and it is now down to new head coach Ivan Juric to work miracles if the Saints wish to somehow close the 10-point gap to safety.
Juric has overseen three consecutive Premier League defeats since replacing Russell Martin, including a heavy 5-0 home loss to Brentford just over a week ago - Southampton's 16th defeat of the season and their eighth by a margin of at least two goals.
However, the Saints had something to cheer for a change on Sunday, as they eased to a 3-0 home victory over Championship side Swansea City in the third round of the FA Cup, thanks to a brace from rising star Tyler Dibling and goal from Kamaldeen Sulemana.
Southampton are now preparing for Thursday's top-flight clash with Man United and travel to Old Trafford without a win in their last 17 Premier League away games. They have, however, lost only three of their last 10 league trips to the red side of Manchester (W2 D5), most recently drawing 0-0 in March 2023.
Team News
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Man United quartet Luke Shaw (calf), Mason Mount (thigh), Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans (both unspecified) are all set to remain sidelined with injuries, while Marcus Rashford's availability remains up in the air amidst uncertainty over his future.
Diogo Dalot was sent off for two bookable offences against Arsenal and will subsequently serve a one-match suspension. Tyrell Malacia could be recalled at left wing-back as either Noussair Mazraoui or Amad Diallo operates on the right.
Leny Yoro will be pushing to start in central defence ahead of either Matthijs de Ligt or Harry Maguire, while Amorim could be tempted to start Joshua Zirkzee up front ahead of Rasmus Hojlund.
As for Southampton, Jack Stephens, Juan Larios (both unspecified) and Ross Stewart (hamstring) remain sidelined, but Juric is hopeful that Flynn Downes will be fit to feature after missing the last three games with a thigh problem.
Will Smallbone made a welcome return from injury against Swansea and is in contention to play again, while goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu represented the club's Under-21s last Friday after recovering from a long-term Achilles injury. Aaron Ramsdale is set to continue between the sticks on Thursday, though.
Midfielder Matheus Fernandes is available to return after serving a one-match ban in Southampton's last match, while Man United-linked Dibling is expected to start in attack alongside Sulemana and potentially one of Paul Onuachu, Cameron Archer or Adam Armstrong.
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
Onana; De Ligt, Maguire, Martinez; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Mainoo, Malacia; Diallo, Fernandes; Hojlund
Southampton possible starting lineup:
Ramsdale; Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Wood; Bree, Ugochukwu, Fernandes, Walker-Peters; Dibling, Archer, Sulemana
We say: Manchester United 3-1 Southampton
A total of 72 goals have been conceded by these two Premier League teams this season. While Man United have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last seven top-flight matches, Southampton have conceded in 18 of their 20 league fixtures this term.
Goalmouth action at both ends is therefore expected on Thursday, but we feel that the Red Devils will find a way to get the better of the Saints and outscore their opponents, claiming three valuable PL points at Old Trafford for the first time since December 1.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Oliver Thomas
