Premier League: Manchester United vs Southampton

Manchester United vs Southampton Match Preview

Southampton manager Ivan Juric says he is “optimistic” his new side can upset Manchester United at Old Trafford on Thursday after an 11-match wait for a win.

The Saints snapped a three-game losing streak and scored as many goals as they had in their previous eight games. A 3-0 home win over Championship visitors Swansea City In the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday.

“We can do it,” Juric said of the prospect of adding his first away win of the season to his first since taking charge on Dec. 21.

“It’s a good game. The boys are doing well. They’re a bit more confident after the Swansea game… With playing games and training, I think they’re starting to do the things they want to do. It is normal.

Old Trafford awaits 📍 pic.twitter.com/FP1AATPKFn

— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) January 14, 2025

“It’s just an attitude to do (necessary) things. If you’re training with intensity, with pressing, with aggression, you’re going to play like this.”

Juric described United counterpart Ruben Amorim’s use of a 3-4-3 formation with former club Sporting Lisbon as “almost perfection”.

“He wants to do the same thing at Manchester United,” added the Croatian, whose side are 10 points from safety and 17 behind their 14th-placed opponents.

Amorim Considers the challenge an acid test of his players’ multi-questioned character. Less than two months after being appointed, Amorim said United’s 2-2 draw at Liverpool on January 5, which ended a four-match losing streak, had driven him “mad” due to the unpredictable quality of the performances he oversaw.

Yes, Josh 🎯#MUFC || #FACup

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 13, 2025

United produced another surprise result and an impressive display of determination on Sunday, knocking Arsenal out of the FA Cup on penalties at the Emirates Stadium, reduced to 10 men when Diogo Dalot was sent off after 61 minutes.

“We have to deliver – or try to,” Amorim added. “But the most important thing is to fight in the game and… win in the end”.

A good omen for Amorim is that United are unbeaten in 16 meetings with Southampton in almost nine years, although three of the last five have been drawn since the hosts’ 9-0 win at Old Trafford in February 2021.

Man United vs Southampton Team news

Dalot will be absent for the first time this season while the full-back serves a one-match ban for his two bookings at Arsenal, with Tyrrell Malacia, who replaced him against the Gunners, the option to start at left-back.

Amorim says the 21-year-old Toby CollierHaving already played in the position in the EFL Cup this season, he has also caught the eye in training.

You want it.#MUFC pic.twitter.com/GMkXBu0qQO

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 13, 2025

Noussair Mazraoui could also switch sides, potentially allowing Amad Diallo, Alejandro Garnacho or Antoine to start on the right.

Defenders Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans and Luke Shaw remain out through injury, as does midfielder Mason Mount, while Andre Onana, who has been an ever-present in the Premier League since joining in 2023, is likely to replace Altay Beindir in goal despite Turkey. . International feat against Arsenal.

Southampton defender Jack Stephens, who was sent off in September’s 3-0 home defeat to United, will miss the game through injury.

Forward Ross Stewart is also out, though Flynn Downs may return The defensive midfielder suffered a thigh injury on December 26.

“(Flynn) did his first practice (Tuesday) and he’s fine,” Juric told reporters. “We will see if he can play from the start.”