Manchester United have the perfect opportunity to build on their recent encouraging displays when Southampton visit Old Trafford tonight.
The 2-2 Premier League draw at Liverpool followed a penalty shoot-out win at Arsenal in the FA Cup last weekend, despite playing with 10 men from the 61st minute onwards after full-back Diogo Dalot was sent off.
Manager Ruben Amorim now wants to see the same fight and spirit in every game, with their next seven games against Saints, Brighton, Fulham, Crystal Palace, Tottenham, Everton and Ipswich seemingly providing a chance for United to bounce back the season. in orbit.
Writing on tonight’s fixture list, the Portuguese said: “Last month, we were at the Etihad Stadium, Anfield and the Emirates Stadium – three of the most difficult places to play in the country – and we got positive results from each one. To do that requires quality and character, but the job now is to show that in every game, regardless of the opposition.”
The challenge for Southampton is simply to pick up points, regardless of the opposition.
Having been promoted from the Championship last season, they have managed just one win and three draws in 20 games. An immediate return to the second tier seems inevitable.
Manchester United team news
Amorim made three changes to the side that performed so well at the Emirates.
Diallo is suspended with Amad Diallo likely to play at right wing back with Noussair Mazraoui switching to the left side.
Leny Yoro is preferred to Harry Maguire while Andre Onana returns in goal in place of Altay Bayındır Cup hero.
There was again no place for Marcus Rashford in the matchday squad.
Manchester United: Onana? Yoro, De Ligt, Martinez; Amad, Ugarte, Mainoo, Mazraoui; Garnacho, Fernandes, Hojlund
Here are your Red Devils to take on the Saints 👊#MUFC || #MUNSOU
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 16, 2025
Southampton team news
Saints boss Ivan Juric made just one change to the side that beat Swansea City 3-0 in the FA Cup last weekend.
This saw Japanese fullback Yukinari Sugawara replace Ryan Manning.
Southampton: Ramsdale; Walker-Peters, Sugawara, Bednarek, Harwood-Bellis, Bree; Ugochukwu, Aribo; Fernandes, Kamaldeen, Dibling
Your YELLOWS 💛 pic.twitter.com/yqR4gSipTj
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) January 16, 2025
