Southampton vs Manchester United Preview: TV, line-ups, prediction

By Marc Walker | Aug 21, 2021

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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.

James Ward-Prowse of Southampton (L) (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images) /

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.

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

The lowdown on Manchester United ahead of clash with Southampton. dark. Next