Other Pages
- Opinion Poll
- About Us
- Send Your Story
- Contact Us
- Newsletter
- Privacy Policy
- Terms and Conditions
Manchester United will welcome Southampton to Old Trafford on matchday 22 of the English Premier League 2020-21 season with title race in view.
United currently sit second on the EPL standing behind local city rival Manchester City with 41 points -- 3 points clear.
The Saints have dropped from the top spot in recent weeks to 11th with 29 points 15 points adrift the summit.
After the transfer deadline, United could only sign Amad Diallo from Atalanta but 9 players left the club including long-serving Fosu Mensah and Jesse Lingard although the latter is a loan move.
It remains to be seen how Diallo will fit into the United team as the Red Devils have not been much of winger-dependent team with most of the ball through the middle.
Marcus Rashford has been used in the wing position paired with Daniel James -- with recent fall of James from the pecking order, the Ivorian winger could fit into Ole Gunner's plans.
Southampton are never an easy side for any EPL team as they have brought the defending champions, Liverpool, to their kneels during this campaign.
Old Trafford has not even been much of a fortress -- dating back to the first match of the season as Crystal Palace stunned United at home.
The Red Devils are unbeaten in their last nine Premier League meetings with Southampton (W4 D5), though are looking to complete their first league double over them since their title-winning campaign of 2012-13.
Manchester United have come from behind to win 10 different Premier League games against Southampton, including a 3-2 victory in the reverse fixture at St Mary’s this season. No side has come from behind to beat another more often in the competition’s history (Man Utd also 10 vs Newcastle).
Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani came off the bench to score twice and assist once against Southampton in their 3-2 win in November.
READ ALSO: EPL: Man Utd, Arsenal Fire Blanks
The last Red Devils player to score 2+ goals in consecutive Premier League appearances against an opponent was Cristiano Ronaldo versus West Ham in October 2008.
The highest-scoring player for United is Bruno Fernandes with 16 goals closely followed by Marcus Rashford (15) and trailing far behind are Martial, Cavani at 5 goals apiece.
The assist king for the Old Trafford outfit remains Bruno Fernandes with 9 goals spearheading the United attack with his relationship with Rashford, the English winger has been able to notch 7 assists for himself and Martial could only manage to render 5 assists so far.
? "We need to get our mojo back," says Ole.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 1, 2021
"We created enough chances to score [against Arsenal] and we need to take them."#MUFC #MUNSOU pic.twitter.com/WVyfiQlEMY
Ole Gunner's side are now 2 games without a win so morale is thin as they will be stepping on the stage to face the Saints - we expect Solskjaer to stick to his usual line-up.
GK: DE GEA
DF: WAN BISSAKA, LINDELOF, HARRY MAGUIRE, LUKE SHAW
DMF: FRED, POGBA
AMF: RASHFORD, BRUNO FERNANDES, GREENWOOD,
FW: CAVANI
Just like their United counterpart, Southampton made just one signing with over 5 players off the hook. the loan deal for Minamino is a good move for the Saints as Danny Ings injury worries now has a contingency plan.
Welcome to #SaintsFC, @takumina0116 ?
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) February 2, 2021
Another similarity is that the Saints are without a win in their last two matches - losing to Aston Villa and Arsenal on the road.
Southampton have also failed to score in each of their last two Premier League away games, having only failed to find the net in two of their previous 25 on the road. Saints last went three without scoring in October 2018 under Mark Hughes.
Of all teams to have played at least 10 Premier League games in a specific month, no-one has a higher win rate than Manchester United do in February, with the Red Devils winning 68 of their 100 February games in the competition.
Southampton have lost their last three Premier League games, more than they had in their previous 15 (W8 D5 L2). They last lost four in a row in the competition in April 2018.
Having lost 13 of their first 14 Premier League away games against Man Utd (D1), Southampton have lost just two of their last seven visits to Old Trafford (W2 D3).
READ ALSO: EPL: Ings Stun Liverpool As Southampton Rejoins Title Race
Theo Walcott, Ibrahima Diallo and Oriol Romeu were all struck down with an injury in Saints' 1-0 loss to Aston Villa on the weekend adding to Hasenhüttl's injury woes.
Jannik Vestergaard and Will Smallbone remain on the long-term injury list, with Kyle Walker-Peters remaining a doubt.
Both Moussa Djenepo and Nathan Redmond had a successful return to first-team action on Saturday and will be available for selection.
Alex Jankewitz made his Saints debut against Aston Villa on Saturday. With the injury list continuing to grow, it's likely Hasenhüttl will look to him to make an impact.
Danny Ings remains the side highest scorer with 7 goals followed by James Ward-Prowse at 5 goals and Ché Adams with 4
For the assist, James Ward-Prowse (5), Ché Adams (4) and Danny Ings (3)
A striking thing is that the three names which appear for goals appeared for assist which shows they all can create and score at the same time.
Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse’s direct free-kick goal against Manchester United in the November meeting between the sides was the eighth direct free-kick scored in this Premier League fixture, the joint-most of any fixture in Premier League history along with Liverpool versus Man Utd.
Set-pieces have been profitable for #SaintsFC against #MUFC... ?
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) February 1, 2021
Tactics writer @stighefootball assesses the chances of a repeat ?
Manchester United vs Southampton February 2nd 2021, 8:15 PM (UTC)
Let's seize the chance for 3️⃣ points, Reds! ?
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 2, 2021
? #MUFC
#️⃣ #MUNSOU
? #PL
0 Comment(s)