Verdict: Bruno Fernandes to score anytime
Best Odds: 7/4
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Turning their attention back to Premier League action on Thursday night, Manchester United will welcome Southampton to Old Trafford.
Manchester United
Starting with the hosts, springing a major FA Cup upset away at historic rivals Arsenal last weekend, Manchester United will be desperate to use that gritty performance as a platform to build on. However, although the Red Devils might have shown some real improvements over the past week, it is no secret that Ruben Amorim’s new squad are seeking some crucial stability. Still scrapping it out in the bottom-half of the Premier League table, the former Sporting Lisbon boss is more than aware that he has a real job on his hands. Despite getting the New Year underway with a dramatic 2-2 stalemate away at arch-rivals Liverpool, that is the only point that United have collected from any of their previous four Premier League appearances. Watching their EFL Cup adventure come to an end last month as they fell to a 4-3 loss against Tottenham, Amorim’s side have not collected consecutive top-flight wins so far this season.
Manchester United Team News
Shown an FA Cup red care away at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon, Diego Dalot will serve a one-match suspension here. Both still dealing with respective injury issues the duo of Luke Shaw and former Chelsea star Mason Mount will miss out in midweek.
Now expected to make a move away from Old Trafford this month, England international Marcus Rashford will not be part of Amorim’s squad on Thursday night. While Turkish shot-stopper Altay Bayindir might have cemented his spot as a Manchester United cult figure away at Arsenal last weekend, Andre Onana will return between the sticks.
Southampton
As for the visitors, while Southampton might have avoided an FA Cup banana skin last weekend as they secured a 3-0 romp against Championship outfit Swansea, the Saints are enduring a public Premier League crisis. Last seen in top-flight action getting the New Year underway with a woeful 5-0 drumming at the hands of Brentford, new boss Ivan Juric is seeking what would be a famous miracle. Breaking a string of unwanted records this season and sat rock-bottom of the Premier League table, Thursday’s guests have remarkably put just six points on the board. Limping their way to an immediate Championship return, Southampton have also registered just a sole point from any of their last eight Premier League showdowns. Not claiming a single top-flight win on their travels so far this season, it is no surprise that Juric’s men are pencilled in as a landslide underdog when they travel to Old Trafford on Thursday night.
Southampton Team News
Still dealing with a recent thigh injury that is picked up against former club West Ham on Boxing Day, Flynn Downes remains on the sidelines. Likewise, not making a single appearance since the start of April, Scotland international Ross Stewart will not travel to Old Trafford.
Bagging an FA Cup brace against Swansea last weekend, 18-year-old Tyler Dibling should keep his spot from the start. Despite speculation over an immediate move away from St. Mary’s, Aaron Ramsdale will start between the sticks.
Manchester United vs Southampton Key Factors to Consider
- When Manchester United and Southampton met for their reverse Premier League showdown on September 14th, Thursday’s hosts collected a 3-0 victory at St. Mary’s.
- Despite their FA Cup success last weekend, Manchester United have collected just a single point from any of their previous four Premier League appearances.
- Southampton have remarkably collected just six points from their 20 Premier League appearances this season.
- The Saints have failed to record a single Premier League win on their travels so far this season.
- Manchester United have shipped eight goals in their last three Premier League appearances at Old Trafford.
Conclusion
Extending on their FA Cup adventure away at historic rivals Arsenal last weekend, Manchester United will be desperate to use that gritty performance as a platform to build on. While Amorim’s squad might have collected just a single point from any of their previous four Premier League appearances, they will be smelling a golden opportunity here. Storming their way to a 3-0 romp when they met Southampton for their reverse Premier League showdown on September 14th, United are rightfully installed as a standout contender at Old Trafford.
Verdict: Bruno Fernandes to score anytime
Best Odds: 7/4
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
