Southampton's start to the season has been miserable, while Manchester United also return after the international following back-to-back defeats, making this Saturday lunchtime clash key.
Southampton vs Manchester United Preview
The start of any new season offers a renewed sense of optimism for supporters, especially when your team has concluded the previous campaign by beating fierce rivals in the FA Cup Final.
Well, that new-found optimism have quickly evaporated for Manchester United fans following back-to-back defeats, conceding late against Brighton before, last time out, a 3-0 humbling at the hands of Liverpool that emphasised the gulf that continues to exist between the pair.
Having stuck with Erik ten Hag during the summer, the Dutchman is immediately under enormous pressure again, so really cannot afford another slip-up here.
Defeat on the South Coast would be the first time the Red Devils have lost three successive Premier League games since Boxing Day 2015, while they're also in danger of starting a campaign with back-to-back away defeats in successive seasons, having not done so since 1973 prior to 12 months ago.
So, can Southampton add to Man United's misery? Well, based on what they've offered so far, probably not.
The Saints are yet to get off the mark since victory in the Championship play-off final back in May, beaten 1-0 by both Newcastle and Nottingham Forest, before a 3-1 defeat at Brentford, in which Yukinari Sugawara's first goal for the club was very much of the consolation variety.
Russell Martin's team were generally competitive in West London, but paid the price for individual errors in possession at the back.
This is actually the sixth time Southampton have started a Premier League season with three successive defeats and, in each of the previous five, they did manage to avoid relegation, so there is a crumb of comfort for the Saints' faithful.
Ahead of this one, the Saints are winless in 15 encounters with Man United, so can they change that fact at St Mary's?
Southampton vs Manchester United Head-to-Head Record
- Matches Played: 133
- Southampton Wins: 28. Draws: 37. Manchester United Wins: 68.
Southampton vs Manchester United: Last 5 Meetings
- 12 March 2023 - Manchester United 0-0 Southampton
- 27 August 2022 - Southampton 0-1 Manchester United
- 12 February 2022 - Manchester United 1-1 Southampton
- 22 August 2021 - Southampton 1-1 Manchester United
- 2 February 2021 - Manchester United 9-0 Southampton
Southampton Team News
Less than 24 hours after signing on Deadline Day, Aaron Ramsdale debuted for Southampton at Brentford, so will once again be donning the gloves here.
Fellow new-arrivals Lesley Ugochukwu and Mateus Fernandes could come into midfield, while Cameron Archer is likely to displace Adam Armstrong in attack.
Southampton predicted lineup vs Manchester United: (5-3-2): Ramsdale; Sugawara, Bednarek, Stephens, Harwood-Bellis, Walker-Peters; Downes, Ugochukwu, Fernandes; Brereton Díaz, Archer.
Southampton Player to Watch vs Manchester United
Ben Brereton Díaz has now featured in 17 Premier League matches without being on the winning side in any of them, equalling the competition record held by Marvin Sordell, and unwanted record he will break should the Saints fail to claim victory here.
Manchester United Team News
Leny Yoro, Victor Lindelöf, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Mason Mount and Rasmus Højlund remain sidelined but, in better news, Manuel Ugarte is set to debut, coming in for Casemiro who was ignominiously hooked at half time against Liverpool.
Marcus Rashford's continued underwhelming form means his starting spot remains under scrutiny, with many wanting to see Alejandro Garnacho and Amad start out-wide, instead of only one or the other.
Manchester United predicted lineup vs Southampton: (4-2-3-1): Onana, Mazraoui, de Ligt, Martínez, Dalot; Ugarte, Mainoo, Fernandes; Garnacho, Rashford, Zirkzee.
Manchester United Players to Watch vs Southampton
Bruno Fernandes, who celebrated his 30th birthday last weekend, marked the occasion by scoring his 24th international goal as Portugal beat Scotland 2-1 in Lisbon.
He's yet to get off the mark for Man United this season, but has found the net during two of his three previous outings at St Mary's, so certainly remains the Red Devils' most-likely scorer here.
Southampton vs Manchester United Prediction
This is certainly a potential banana skin, but we're cautiously predicting a narrow Manchester United victory. Southampton's defence have offered their opponents far too many chances in their three fixtures so far and, given the individual quality they posses, we're forecasting that the Red Devils will punish the Saints' slackness at the back: Southampton 1-2 Manchester United.
Southampton vs Manchester United FAQs - Premier League
How to watch Southampton vs Manchester United Premier League game on TV channel?
Southampton vs Manchester United Premier League game will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: TNT Sports 1
- USA: USA Network and Universo
- Canada: fuboTV Canada
How to watch Southampton vs Manchester United Premier League game on live streaming?
Southampton vs Manchester United Premier League game will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Discovery+
- USA: NBC.com, FuboTV, and Sling TV.
- Canada: FuboTV, Peacock Premium
What is the date and kick-off time for Southampton vs Manchester United in the Premier League?
Southampton vs Manchester United takes place on Saturday 14 September 2024, with kick off at 12:30 (BST), 7:30 (ET) & 4:30 (PDT).