Premier League
Southampton vs Manchester United Preview
- Date: Saturday, August 30, 2019
- Time: 7:00 a.m. (EST)
- Network: NBCSN
- Location: Southampton, England
- Venue: St Mary’s Stadium
- Capacity: 32,505
Team News
Ralph Hassenhuttl’s side is on two wins on the bounce after the 1-0 victory against Fulham in the League Cup and last weekend’s 2-0 win against Brighton. However, they will be without their two goalscorers against Brighton this time around. Nathan Redmond has an ankle problem while new signing Moussa Djenepo developed a muscle problem. Youngster Michael Obafemi (hamstring) is also not likely to play.
Manchester United will not be fielding defender Luke Shaw or French forward Anthony Martial who were injured in the surprise 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace last time out. Ashley Young looks set to replace Shaw at the left-back spot. While Martial’s injury could prompt the involvement of Mason Greenwood on Saturday.
A Numbers Game
Southampton has not won a single home Premier League game against Manchester United in their last eight fixtures. Their last home win came in August 2003 where they won 1-0. Southampton has lost nine games against Manchester United after they were leading in the game. The home team has only ended on the winning side three times of the last 15 meetings between the two sides.
Manchester United have only won three games since beating PSG last March. Such a harrowing statistic for Solksjaer’s side shows how bad their form has been. With Rashford’s penalty miss last weekend, United have now failed to score more penalties than any other team in Premier League history, missing 37 of 144. In their last 14 Premier League games, Manchester United have only kept one clean sheet, allowing 22 goals and only scoring 19.
How the Game Will Go (Southampton vs Manchester United Preview)
With two wins on the row, Southampton now has the belief and energy to finally get a home win against United. With the midfield of Pogba and McTominay looking shaky last weekend, the Saints will be eager to test their resilience. In what looks set to be an open, free-flowing game, United have to play the same way they did against Chelsea; strong and organized at the back, creative in attack.
Marcus Rashford has to now step up to the plate to be United’s main-man after Martial’s injury. Rashford needs to get the service from Pogba, James, and co to be able to thrive against Southampton. The 21-year-old Englishman’s finishing has to get better for him to be considered a top forward in the Premier League.
Che Adams has looked threatening so far in his maiden Premier League campaign. The 23-year-old Leicester-born striker hasn’t netted yet, but given a few chances in the box, he will be sure to capitalize.
Expected Line-ups
Southampton: Gunn, Valery, Bednarek, Vestergaard, Danso, Højbjerg, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Boufal, Ings, Adams.
Manchester United: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelöf, Young, Pogba, McTominay, James, Lingard, Pereira, Rashford
Prediction: Southampton 1-2 Manchester United
Written by Jacob Robson
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