Down The Wings

Manchester United Fan Blog

Manchester United vs Southampton Match Preview: Kick-off time, Team News, TV Channel and Score Prediction

Manchester United welcome Southampton to Old Trafford as they try to bounce back with a win in the Premier League.

How do Manchester United Look?

Manchester United reacted well to their loss against Liverpool with a 4-1 win over Real Betis in the first leg of their Europa League tie. Erik ten Hag fielded the exact same XI that lost to Liverpool giving the players the chance to redeem themselves. The Reds took an early lead through none other than Marcus Rashford who smashed the ball into the roof of the net after the ball fell to him in the box from a loose Bruno Fernandes pass. United were comfortably the better team in the first half hour with Rashford and Weghorst both having good chances to extend the lead.

The Reds would rue their missed chances in the 32nd minute when Ayoze Perez levelled the scoring with a fabulous strike with the outside of his boot. United would take the lead back through Antony. The Brazilian has made the cut in and curl from the right-hand side a bit of a trademark this season and he pulled it out again early in the second half to give United the lead again. Just moments later Bruno Fernandes would extend United’s lead with a powerful header at the front post from a Luke Shaw corner delivery. Wout Weghorst got his name on the score sheet in the final minutes of the game, reacting well to a rebound from a Scott McTominay shot. This victory puts United in good stead to progress to the next round of the Europa League and extends their unbeaten run at Old Trafford to 21 games in all competitions.

Anthony Martial is back in training but is still not ready to be back in the match-day squad. Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Christian Eriksen’s rehab is going well and that he could be back before the end of the season.

Opposition: Southampton

Southampton have been going through a tough time this season and currently sit bottom of the Premier League. It’s been a poor season, especially considering their expectations at the beginning with their new core of young players. The Saints will be managed by Ruben Selles for their trip to Old Trafford. The coach took over from Nathan Jones after the ex-Luton Town manager was sacked and has been in charge since their 1-0 victory over Chelsea.

The key man for Southampton has to be their captain and best player James Ward-Prowse. The midfielder has been The Saints’ shining light this season, carrying them through games at times. Everyone is aware of the threat Ward-Prowse possess from set pieces whether that is directly shooting or delivering a bit of quality into the box. United will have to be wary of the areas they concede fouls to avoid giving Ward-Prowse a good shooting opportunity.

Prediction

Manchester United have made Old Trafford a fortress this season and they will be heavy favourites to win at home against bottom of the league this season. The Saints have struggled to score goals this season and United have been largely solid as a defensive unit. United should control the game comfortably and be able to create chances against a Southampton defence that has been leaking goals all season.

Manchester United 3-0 Southampton.

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