Manchester United are gearing up for a crucial clash against Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium this weekend, as they look to bounce back from a disappointing run of results. The Reds have only managed to secure one victory in their last four encounters with the Saints, and will be eager to turn things around after suffering a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Liverpool before the international break.
The defeat to Arne Slot’s side was a bitter pill to swallow for Manchester United, as it marked their second consecutive loss following a 2-1 setback against Brighton & Hove Albion. These disappointing results have left them languishing in 14th place in the Premier League table, highlighting the need for a strong performance against Southampton.
With the trip to St Mary’s presenting a relatively easier fixture on paper, Manchester United will be aiming to secure all three points to climb up the standings. Much of the pre-match buzz has centered around the potential debut of Manuel Ugarte in the starting lineup. The Uruguayan midfielder featured twice for his national team during the international break, and manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed that he is in contention for a starting role.
In goal, Andre Onana is expected to continue his impressive run of starting every Premier League match since last season. The Dutch goalkeeper will be looking to build on his clean sheet against Fulham on the opening weekend. The defensive line is likely to feature the same quartet that faced Liverpool, with Matthijs de Ligt aiming to put his struggles with the Netherlands national team behind him. Diogo Dalot is set to deputize for the injured Luke Shaw at left-back.
The midfield pivot could see Ugarte potentially making his debut, although concerns about his recent matches and recovery time may lead to him starting on the bench. Toby Collyer could step in as a replacement, alongside Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes in the midfield. Up top, Joshua Zirkzee is expected to lead the line in the absence of Rasmus Hojlund, with Alejandro Garnacho likely to retain his spot. The final attacking position could see Marcus Rashford or Amad taking the field, with the latter edging ahead in current form.
Manchester United Predicted Line-Up vs Southampton:
Goalkeeper: Onana
Defenders: Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez, Dalot
Midfielders: Collyer, Mainoo, Fernandes
Forwards: Garnacho, Zirkzee, Amad
In conclusion, Manchester United will be aiming to get back to winning ways against Southampton, with the potential inclusion of Ugarte adding an extra dimension to their lineup. The clash at St Mary’s promises to be a crucial test for the Reds as they seek to climb the Premier League table and reignite their season.