Match Preview: Manchester United vs Southampton (Premier League)

Fixture: Manchester United vs Southampton

Date: Thursday, 16 January 2025

Kickoff Time: 20:00 (UK Time)

Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester

Manchester United host Southampton at Old Trafford in a high-stakes Premier League encounter. United have only one win in their five league matches and must deliver a strong performance to regain momentum. The weekend penalty win at Arsenal in the FA Cup will lift confidence, though.

Meanwhile, Southampton, rooted to the bottom of the table, will look to build on a 3-0 home win over Swansea City in the FA Cup third round.

• Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United
• Liverpool 2–2 Manchester United
• Manchester United 0–2 Newcastle United
• Wolves 2–0 Manchester United
• Manchester United 0–3 Bournemouth

Key Insight: United’s defence has leaked 10 goals in their last five matches. Offensively, they’ve struggled with consistency, scoring just three times in this period.

• Southampton 3-0 Swansea City
• Southampton 0–5 Brentford
• Crystal Palace 2–1 Southampton
• Southampton 0–1 West Ham United
• Fulham 0–0 Southampton 

Key Insight: Southampton have scored just one goal in their last four league games and conceded eight during that same period, highlighting significant defensive frailties.

All-Time Meetings: 47

• Manchester United Wins: 29
• Southampton Wins: 7
• Draws: 11

At Old Trafford:

• Manchester United Wins: 14
• Southampton Wins: 2
• Draws: 6

Key Stat: Southampton’s last league win at Old Trafford was a narrow 1–0 victory in January 2016.

• Luke Shaw (Hamstring, Doubtful)
• Marcus Rashford (Doubtful)
• Mason Mount (Muscle, Doubtful)
• Victor Lindelöf (Concussion, Doubtful)
• Diego Dalot (Suspended)
  

• Gavin Bazunu (Achilles tendon, Doubtful)
• Jack Stephens (Muscle injury, Return expected: Mid-January)
• Ross Stewart (Muscle injury, Doubtful)
  

• Goalkeeper: André Onana
• Defenders: Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martínez, Matthijs de Ligt
• Midfielders: Amad Diallo, Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo, Noussair Mazraoui
• Attacking Midfielders: Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho
• Forward: Rasmus Højlund
  

• Goalkeeper: Aaron Ramsdale
  Defenders: Kyle Walker-Peters, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Jan Bednarek, Nathan Wood, Ryan Manning
• Midfielders: Flynn Downes, Matheus Fernandes
• Attackers: Tyler Dibling, Paul Onuachu, Kameldeen Sulemana
  

Manager Rúben Amorim will rely on possession-based play and quick attacking transitions. Without Dalot on the left, Garnacho’s pace and directness become critical, while Fernandes must shoulder the creative load. The midfield pairing of Ugarte and Mainoo will aim to control the tempo and disrupt Southampton’s counters.

Strengths:

• Dominance in midfield with the energy of Mainoo and Ugarte
• Home advantage and individual attacking brilliance.

Weaknesses:

• Defensive fragility and lack of confidence at the back.
• Inconsistent finishing in the final third.
  

Under Ivan Jurić, Southampton are expected to adopt a disciplined and high-intensity defensive system. Quick counter-attacks through Sulemana and Dibling will be their main offensive strategy, supported by Onuachu’s aerial threat in set-piece situations.

Strengths:

• High-pressing and compact defensive organisation.
• Speed on the wing from Sulemana

Weaknesses:

• A lack of time for Jurić to implement his tactical philosophy.
• Poor goal-scoring form, with just one goal in four league matches.
  

Manchester United will likely dominate possession, forcing Southampton to sit deep and defend in numbers. The match could hinge on United’s ability to break down Southampton’s defensive structure early. Conversely, the visitors will look to frustrate their hosts and capitalise on set pieces or counter-attacking opportunities.

Despite United’s struggles, their superior quality and attacking depth should be enough to overcome Southampton’s resistance. However, the Saints’ potential for set-piece or counter-attacking goals cannot be overlooked.

Predicted Scoreline: Manchester United 3–1 Southampton

Manchester United’s 9–0 win over Southampton in February 2021 remains one of the joint-largest victories in Premier League history. Could this fixture deliver another goal-fest at Old Trafford?

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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.