Southampton vs Manchester United Preview
By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Twitter: ollyzjinx01 Instagram: sir_ajirowo01
With two defeats and a single victory in their last three matches, Manchester United are in dire need of a win against Southampton to demonstrate they are progressing, or as the manager describes it, showing “transition phase improvement.” The Red Devils will travel to St. Mary’s Stadium to take on the Saints this Saturday, with kick-off scheduled for lunch time.
Early kick-offs might not be ideal, but both teams need to display significant improvement from their recent performances. Post-international break fixtures are often challenging due to player fatigue from travel, but as I’ve previously mentioned, there are no more excuses for Erik Ten Hag this season.
Currently, Manchester United languish in 14th place with a goal difference of minus three (-3) after conceding three goals against Liverpool. Meanwhile, Southampton’s last match before the break saw them fall to a 3-1 defeat at Brentford, despite a stunning consolation goal from Sugawara. Goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Yoan Wissa secured the win for the Bees.
Manchester United’s 2024/25 Premier League campaign has been underwhelming so far, leading to growing frustrations among fans, some of whom are already calling for the manager’s dismissal. Ten Hag’s recent remark, “We will see where we are in May,” has done little to soothe the concerns. The consensus is clear: results must improve, and that turnaround needs to start this afternoon at St. Mary’s Stadium.
The Red Devils not only need a win but must also score more goals to avoid last season’s struggles with a negative goal difference. Fortunately, none of the players returned from international duty with injuries. While Ugarte arrived late, Casemiro is expected to start and will be looking to make amends for his errors in the Liverpool match.
Although only three points separate Manchester United and Southampton in the table, both teams have endured tough starts to the season. For United, it’s imperative to show improvements not just defensively but across the board. Their last encounter with Southampton ended in a goalless draw at Old Trafford, and a similar result would be disappointing.
Southampton, on the other hand, are under immense pressure. Alongside Everton, they entered the international break without a single point after losing their opening three matches to Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, and Brentford. Manager Russell Martin, who guided the Saints to promotion via the Championship playoffs last season, is now under scrutiny. Reports suggest the 38-year-old could face the axe if results don’t improve by the end of September.
Southampton’s next four fixtures are crucial, beginning with Saturday’s showdown against Manchester United, followed by matches against Everton, newly-promoted Ipswich Town, and South Coast rivals Bournemouth. The Saints are desperate to avoid becoming the first Premier League team to lose their opening four matches in three different seasons, a task made harder by the fact they haven’t beaten United in their last 14 league meetings since January 2016.
The pressure is mounting once again on Erik Ten Hag, but the Dutch manager remains unfazed, insisting that external noise “doesn’t impact” him and that Manchester United’s season should be judged in May rather than after three games. He will be hoping his side can get back on track with a favorable fixture at St. Mary’s, where United are unbeaten in their last 12 league visits since a narrow 1-0 loss in August 2003.
Despite their struggles, Manchester United have an impressive record against newly-promoted sides, losing just one of their last 30 Premier League games (W22 D7) and winning 15 of their last 17 such encounters. However, a run of just one win in six away league games, during which they’ve conceded 16 goals, raises questions.
Manchester United record against Southampton:
| Games won: | 68 |
| Games drawn: | 37 |
| Games lost: | 28 |
Team News:
(As of today 13/09/2024)
Southampton: Ben Brereton Diaz is a doubt, and Kamaldeen Sulemana and Gavin Bazunu are out.
Manchester United: United are still without Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelöf, Leny Yoro, Tyrell Malacia, Rasmus Hojlund, and Mason Mount.
Prediction:
Both teams find themselves under pressure to turn their fortunes around at this early stage in the season following underwhelming starts, and they will back themselves to come away from this fixture with a positive result.
Three of the last four meetings between these two sides have ended as a draw, and another tight affair could be in store on Saturday, but I am backing Man United to come away with a slender victory on this occasion.
Southampton 1- 2 Manchester United.
Will the Red Devils turn things around, or will it be another repeat of their early-season woes? Share your thoughts below!