Manchester United v Southampton preview, team news, tickets and prediction
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Former Premier League champions Manchester United will lock horns with Southampton at Old Trafford in their second game of 2025.
It has been a rollercoaster campaign for the Red Devils, who suffered a slow start under former coach Erik Ten Hag before he was sacked at the start of November. Southampton, however, have proven to be diehards, considering the fact that they have stubbornly stuck to their manager Martin Russell, who has refused to deviate from his expansive style of football, which the players have struggled to execute.
Manchester United started the campaign with high hopes, especially after their FA Cup triumph over Manchester City at the end of last season. There were speculations that the new INEOS board which took the reigns of the club last season, would sack Ten Hag. But instead, they kept the faith and handed him a contract extension.
The former Premier League champions started the campaign on a high, picking a hard-fought 1-0 win over Fulham. That win was not convincing enough, as the Cottagers exposed Manchester United a few times. But the Red Devils only managed to escape unscathed because of Fulham’s profligacy in front of goal.
Manchester United’s frailties were eventually exposed in their second game against a talented and well-tutored Brighton side. Then in their third game of the season, they fell characteristically to Liverpool. It was not even a vantage Liverpool performance, but Manchester United still failed to eke out a decent result.
Nonetheless, in the reverse fixture of the game against Southampton, Manchester United claimed a handsome 3-0 win, courtesy of goals from Matthijs De Ligt, Marcus Rashford, and Alejandro Garnacho.
Next up for Manchester United was a game at Crystal Palace. The Red Devils huffed and puffed, but they ended up with a goalless draw. Then, in the game that followed, they were torn apart by a rampant Tottenham Hotspur side, as they lost 3-0.
Manchester United went on to pick a draw against Aston Villa and claimed a big 2-1 win over Brentford at Old Trafford. However, they lost to a struggling West Ham side 2-1. That was the last straw that broke the back of the camel, as Ten Hag got the sack after that result.
Ruud Van Nistelrooy, who was brought in as Ten Hag’s assistant at first then led the team to a draw against Chelsea and a 3-1 win over Leicester City. Amorim took charge of his first game against Ipswich some weeks ago. And although it was a disappointing performance, Manchester United escaped with a draw. Going into the game, Amorim will be looking to claim a win to at least calm Manchester United’s nerves. Since the arrival of the new manager, demand for Manchester United tickets have seen an increase as well.
Meanwhile, Southampton have been terrible in the Premier League this season. No surprise they sit rock-bottom of the English top flight with ten losses.
Under Russell Martin, the Saints have been disappointing. They had to wait until their fifth game of the season before getting their first point of the campaign, and it was against their fellow relegation fighters Ipswich Town. But after that, they suffered losses to Bournemouth, Arsenal, Leicester City, and Manchester City.
Southampton got their first win of the campaign at the start of November, after defeating Everton 1-0. However, they suffered back-to-back losses to Liverpool and fellow strugglers Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Saints have been notorious for committing errors at the back due to their setup, but their coach has been adamant about changing.
Meanwhile, Amorim’s boys will not just be fighting for the three points. They will also be fighting for their place in the team next season.
Match tickets
This match at Old Traffordin Manchesterstarts on Thursday 16th January 2025, at 20:00 GMT.
The 75,635-capacity stadium is the place for this clash between the Red Devils and the Saints.
GettingManchester United v Southampton tickets could take a lot of work given the standard of this game. Hence, you are advised to search ticket reselling sites should they be expectedly sold out on each club’s channels.
Team news
Line-ups
Manchester United have a fairly fit squad going into the encounter. Barring any last-minute injuries, Ruben Amorim will have the full complement of his squad.
Manchester United XI:Andre Onana; Matthijs De Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraoui; Diogo Dalot, Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo; Rasmus Hojlund, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford.
Meanwhile, Southampton have a few injury problems of their own. First, the first-choice goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu remains a long-term absentee after an Achilles tendon injury in April. That will keep him out of action until February 2025 at least.
Aaron Ramsdale is also healing, following an operation on his finger. Jan Bednarek is also a source for concern, as he is struggling with a thigh injury. The other team players who are suffering from slight injuries should return just in time for the fixture.
Southampton XI: McCarthy (GK) — Walker-Peters, Sugawara, Stephens, Harwood-Bellis, Manning — Armstrong, Downes, Aribo, Fernandes — Archer
Prediction
The game promises to be filled with excitement due to the way both teams always shape up. Manchester United are still getting used to Amorim’s style of play, but they have shown glimpses of how effective they can be. The Manchester giants also have the quality to punish the Saints who have been notorious for making mistakes in their half.
However, Southampton also carry an attacking threat of their own. Manchester United have not fully adapted to life under Amorim. The Red Devils tend to leave banks of space when they go on the attack, and Southampton could take advantage.
Both clubs have not exactly covered themselves in glory when it comes to defending. Manchester United have conceded 13, while Southampton have conceded 20, the second-highest in the league.
Southampton do not have history in their favour though, as they have failed to defeat Manchester United since 2016 when Louis Van Gaal was still in charge of the team.
Due to the threat both sides carry in the attack and their high potential for mistakes, the game should have a lot of goals. But Manchester have the better quality on paper and should be able to use that to their advantage.
Manchester United 3-1 Southampton
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