Manchester United vs. Southampton: Preview and predictions

Southampton travel to Old Trafford on Saturday evening to face Manchester United in their final Premier League game of 2017.

The Saints have been in very poor recent form and are currently on an alarming run of one win in 11 league games, leaving them just two points outside the bottom three.

The pressure on under-fire manager Mauricio Pellegrino became even more intense following an embarrassing 5-2 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Boxing day, with many fans thinking the Argentine wouldn’t be in charge for Saints’ next game.

The club has also had to contend with the sale of Virgil van Dijk, who completed a £75 million transfer to Liverpool following much speculation about his future ahead of the January transfer window.

Manchester United sit second in the Premier League table but look to have all-but surrendered the title to imperious rivals Manchester City, who have a 15 point cushion at the top. The Red Devils have seen a recent drop in form, with draws against Leicester City and Burnley preceded by Carabou Cup defeat at the hands of Bristol City.

Back in September, Jose Mourinho’s side managed a 1-0 win at St Mary’s thanks to a first-half strike from Romelu Lukaku. However, a positive performance from Saints could have seen them take a point from that match.

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 23: Dusan Tadic (C) of Southampton controls the ball under pressure of Marcus Rashford (L) and Nemanja Matic (R) of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Southampton and Manchester United at St Mary’s Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /

Southampton do have a good recent record at Old Trafford. They managed to win there 1-0 in both the 2014/15 and 2015/16 seasons, with a 1-1 draw coming in 2013/14. Games between the two teams have typically been tight affairs since Southampton’s return to the top flight, with one or two goal margins enough to take the full three points.

In last season’s clash in Manchester, two Zlatan Ibrahimovic goals saw United win comfortably, and the Swede would bag another brace as his side defeated a valiant Saints side 3-2 in the EFL Cup final at Wembley in February. Positive and quick counter attacking play saw Saints go close that day, and it will be vital for Mauricio Pellegrino’s side to try and recreate that tactic on Saturday.

Southampton will be without Ryan Bertrand against United as he recovers from a thigh injury, but the England international could return for the midweek home clash against Crystal Palace. The game will come too soon for Cedric, and Charlie Austin continues to serve a three match ban.

United could welcome back Matteo Darmian, Anthony Martial and Antonio Valencia for Saturday, but Eric Bailly, Marouane Fellaini, Chris Smalling and Michael Carrick remain sidelined.

Why United will win

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The firepower that United possess can be enough to win them any game. Against Burnley, they fielded both Romelu Lukaku and Zlatan Ibrahimovic up front, with Marcus Rashford also in support.

They could fancy their chances against a Saints defence that has looked leaky recently and has conceded 11 goals in the last four matches.

The creativity of both Paul Pogba and Juan Mata from midfield also cannot be underestimated, and they cannot be given any space to pick their passes.

Why Southampton will win

Southampton desperately need points, and the 5-2 drubbing at the hands of Spurs on Tuesday should have been the wake-up call they needed after a lacklustre display.

They were far too open in that game, and will need to close down the spaces that United’s players operate in. A return to 3-5-2, despite the absences of Bertrand and Cedric, could help them do that and give them the best chance of coming away with a result.

Some of the players will also be playing to keep their places in the side through January, with Saints looking to add quality to their squad with the Van-Dijk transfer funds.

Team Predictions

Manchester United

Goalkeeper: David De Gea

Defenders: Ashley Young, Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw

Midfielders: Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba, Juan Mata

Forwards: Marcus Rashford, Romelu Lukaku, Jesse Lingard

Southampton

Goalkeeper: Fraser Forster

Defenders: Jack Stephens, Maya Yoshida, Wesley Hoedt

Midfielders: James Ward-Prowse, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Oriol Romeu, Mario Lemina, Matt Targett

Forwards: Manolo Gabbiadini, Shane Long

Verdict

Manchester United 2-0 Southampton

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