Let’s take a look at the team news as Manchester United are expected to bounce back to their prior form and put up a strong response against Southampton following their devastating 7-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League last week.
In their last game, the Red Devils secured a convincing 4-1 victory over Real Betis in the first leg of their Round of at 16 Europa League tie at Old Trafford. Marcus Rashford, Antony, Bruno Fernandes, and Wout Weghorst all scored for the home team, while Ayoze Perez scored the only goal for the Spanish side.
In the second half, Ten Hag’s side dominated the game, scoring three goals and building a comfortable lead heading into the second leg. The visitors were unable to respond and face a tough challenge in trying to overturn the deficit in the returning leg.
Meanwhile, the Saints managed to gain a crucial three points with a 1-0 win against Leicester City last week, which boosted their chances of avoiding relegation. While they were fortunate to ride their luck, they did enough to secure the win and level on points with Bournemouth and Everton ahead of the latest round of games.
However, Southampton will be facing much tougher opposition in Manchester United on Sunday. In the reverse fixture at the St Mary’s Stadium in August, the Red Devils won 1-0, thanks to a goal from Bruno Fernandes.
Injury/Suspension List:
Erik ten Hag shared some updates on the team news, revealing that Marcel Sabitzer will be unavailable due to a knock and lack of match fitness. Additionally, long-term absentees Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek will also miss the match, while Antony Martial is unlikely to play despite having returned to training.
Meanwhile, the Saints will have to do without Valentino Livramento, although Juan Larios may return after participating in training. Kyle Walker-Peters has recovered from a hamstring strain and will be hoping to start at Old Trafford.
For Southampton, January signings Paul Onuachu and Kamaldeen Sulemana may feature in their fourth consecutive match, although Sekou Mara, Adam Armstrong, and Theo Walcott are also in contention for the starting spots against Manchester United.
Manager Ruben Selles may also be boosted by the potential return of Carlos Alcaraz, who scored the only goal in their previous match against Leicester City but had to come off due to a knee injury sustained during his celebration.
Player To Watch Out For – Kamaldeen Sulemana
Kamaldeen Sulemana is known for his pace, dribbling ability, and technical skills. He is an excellent dribbler, capable of beating defenders with ease and creating chances for himself and his teammates. His acceleration and agility make him a nightmare for defenders to contain, and he is capable of bursting past defenders in the blink of an eye.
The Ghanaian also possesses excellent finishing skills and a keen eye for goal. He is comfortable shooting with both feet and can score from a variety of positions on the field. His ability to find the back of the net has earned him comparisons to some of the top African strikers in recent years.
Despite his young age, Sulemana is also a very composed player who doesn’t get intimidated by pressure situations. He is confident on the ball and has a strong work rate off it, making him a valuable asset for his team both in attack and defense. With his combination of pace, dribbling ability, and finishing skills, he is a player to watch for the future of African football.
Southampton Form:
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Manchester United Form:
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Manchester United Probable Line-up (4-2-3-1):
David de Gea (GK); Diogo Dalot (RB), Raphael Varane (CB), Lisandro Martinez (CB), Luke Shaw(LB); Casemiro(CM), Fred(CM); Antony(RW), Bruno Fernandes(LW), Wout Weghorst(CAM); Marcus Rashford(ST).
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- Manchester United Consider Summer Move for €16m Rated Greek Goalkeeper as Back for David de Gea
Predicted Score:
Manchester United 2-0 Southampton
Southampton have a poor record of both scoring and keeping a clean sheet against Manchester United, and replicating their recent performances at Old Trafford will be a difficult challenge. The Red Devils will be hoping to bounce back after their loss to Liverpool, with Marcus Rashford scoring multiple goals.
It’s unlikely that the Saints will have the same luck they had against Leicester, who missed several crucial opportunities to score. Ten Hag’s side is expected to dominate the game convincingly, and anything less than a two-goal victory for the home team would be a surprise.
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