Manchester United return to Premier League action at Old Trafford on Thursday night, hosting bottom-of-the-table Southampton. Fresh off a morale-boosting FA Cup victory over Arsenal, the Red Devils will aim to secure their first league win since mid-December against a struggling Saints side.
Match Details
- Location: Old Trafford, Manchester, England
- Date: Thursday, January 16
- Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
- Referee: John Brooks
- VAR: Paul Tierney
Recent Form
| Man Utd | Southampton |
|---|---|
| Arsenal 1-1 (3-5p) Man Utd | Southampton 3-0 Swansea |
| Liverpool 2-2 Man Utd | Southampton 0-5 Brentford |
| Man Utd 0-2 Newcastle | Crystal Palace 2-1 Saints |
| Wolves 2-0 Man Utd | Southampton 0-1 West Ham |
| Man Utd 0-3 Bournemouth | Fulham 0-0 Southampton |
Team News
Manchester United
- Suspended: Diogo Dalot (red card vs Arsenal in FA Cup).
- Injured: Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans.
- Doubtful: Amad Diallo (knock).
- Returning: Andre Onana will reclaim his spot in goal after Altay Bayindir’s FA Cup heroics.
Key Player: Bruno Fernandes has been in inspired form and is likely to be pivotal in breaking down Southampton’s defense.
Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1):
Onana; Yoro, Maguire, Martinez; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Fernandes, Malacia; Amad, Garnacho; Zirkzee.
Southampton
- Injured: Jack Stephens, Juan Larios, Ross Stewart.
- Doubtful: Flynn Downes (thigh).
- Returning: Will Smallbone and Gavin Bazunu are back from long-term injuries, with Bazunu unlikely to start ahead of Aaron Ramsdale.
Key Player: Kamaldeen Sulemana’s pace and creativity could trouble United on the counter-attack.
Predicted Lineup (3-4-3):
Ramsdale; Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Wood; Bree, Ugochukwu, Fernandes, Walker-Peters; Dibling, Archer, Sulemana.
Prediction
Manchester United’s recent performances against Arsenal and Liverpool suggest they are rediscovering some form, even if they remain inconsistent. Ruben Amorim’s side thrives in counter-attacking scenarios, but they’ll face a different challenge against Southampton’s deep defensive block.
Southampton have been woeful in the league, with just six points from 20 games, and lack the firepower to trouble United consistently. Despite potential frustration in breaking down the Saints’ defense, Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho should provide the spark for the Red Devils.
Prediction: Man Utd 2-0 Southampton
United’s win would ease relegation fears and give Amorim more breathing room, while Southampton’s dire season looks set to continue.
