![Southampton's Austrian manager Ralph Hasenhuttl reacts ahead of the the English Premier League football match between Everton and Southampton at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on August 14, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Lindsey Parnaby / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by Lindsey Parnaby has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [Southampton's Austrian manager Ralph Hasenhuttl reacts ahead of the English Premier League football match between Everton and Southampton at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on August 14, 2021. ] instead of [Southampton's Austrian manager Ralph Hasenhuttl reacts ahead of the English Premier League football match between Norwich City and Liverpool at Carrow Road in Norwich, eastern England on August 14, 2021.]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability o (Photo by LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP via Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/0ce0cdbe2b76b9a84530f8f2d2c1eadc67d9af588932ef9c6220633553f769fa.jpg "Southampton's Austrian manager Ralph Hasenhuttl reacts ahead of the the English Premier League football match between Everton and Southampton at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on August 14, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Lindsey Parnaby / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by Lindsey Parnaby has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [Southampton's Austrian manager Ralph Hasenhuttl reacts ahead of the English Premier League football match between Everton and Southampton at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on August 14, 2021. ] instead of [Southampton's Austrian manager Ralph Hasenhuttl reacts ahead of the English Premier League football match between Norwich City and Liverpool at Carrow Road in Norwich, eastern England on August 14, 2021.]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability o (Photo by LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP via Getty Images)")
Southampton return to a full St Mary’s tomorrow for the first time in 17 months when they host Manchester United.
Despite differing results in their opening games, this is an intriguing match up and will be a true test of the form of both teams.
Saints lost their opening clash with Everton by a scoreline of 3-1 despite holding a 1-0 lead at half-time and they will need to cut out their individual lapses of concentration to get something on Sunday.
In contrast, United created some superb goals in their dominant 5-1 win over Leeds last weekend but will need to replicate that performance to build any sustained early season momentum.
Southampton and United could be set for team changes
Why Saints will win
Saints will have to draw on the support of their home crowd to get something from this game – even if their team also contains some significant individual talent too.
In an intense atmosphere, their pressing from the front could make it hard for United to play the football they want and could give the hosts the upper hand.
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- Rain clouds on the horizon? Southampton beat Plymouth Argyle
- A lament for Southampton legend James Ward-Prowse
Why United will win
The likes of Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes were in rampant form in United’s opening day win and their creativity could be what gives them the win at St Mary’s.
United fans will be wanting to see new signings Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane in consistent action soon and Sancho in particular could make his first start on Sunday.
Team news
Saints have no fresh injuries and will be able to call on the same players that were available to face Everton. Just Will Smallbone is confirmed as out through injury.
United will assess the progress of Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho before giving them a start. Edinson Cavani, Jesse Lingard, Amad Diallo and Eric Bailly could also come into contention, but Dean Henderson, Marcus Rashford and Alex Telles are out.
TV channel
Saints vs United will be shown live in the Sky Sports in the UK and Peacock in the US.
Predicted starting line-ups
Saints
Fraser Forster; Kyle Walker-Peters, Jan Bednarek, Mohammed Salisu, Romain Perraud; James Ward-Prowse, Oriol Romeu; Stuart Armstrong, Nathan Tella; Che Adams, Adam Armstrong
Manchester United
David De Gea; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw; Scott McTominay, Fred; Jadon Sancho, Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba; Mason Greenwood
Score prediction
Saints 2-2 Man United