Bruno Fernandes arrives at Old Trafford before the match
(Getty)
Manchester United host Southampton in the lunchtime kick-off in the Premier League in a crucial match in the race to land a top four finish. Ralf Rangnick’s side dropped two points midweek to struggling Burnley and will hope their promising home form continues against Saints, having won four of their last five league games at Old Trafford.
While a 3-2 win at Tottenham means the visitors are bullish entering the game, especially with Chelsea youngster Armando Broja in fine form on loan Saints, scoring four goals in his last eight league starts and eight in all competitions this season.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s form is one to watch, with Rangnick admitting that he “must score more goals”, after just one non-penalty goal since the German joined the club in December: “It’s not only about Cristiano Ronaldo. It’s obvious, we are creating chances and opportunities but just didn’t score enough goals. It’s not just an issue with Cristiano, it’s an issue with other players. We don’t score enough goals. If you bear in mind how many chances we create, it needs to get better on coming weeks. In the first half against Burnley, was very, very close to the game plan we spoke before the game and now it’s about rewarding ourselves with the results we deserve.”
Follow live build-up, team news, line-ups, minute-by-minute coverage, analysis and reaction below:
Manchester United’s solitary defeat in their 11 Premier League fixtures since the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer came against Wolves on 3rd January.
Under Ralf Rangnick they have won six league games, drawn four and lost just one.
Southampton are vying to win consecutive league matches for just the second time this season, while it’s 15 months since they earned three straight victories in all competitions.
Man Utd are unbeaten in 23 home league matches in February since losing 2-1 to Manchester City in February 2008. They’ve won 18 and drawn five games during that run.
The Red Devils have only scored nine goals in as many league games at Old Trafford. United’s failure to score in four home matches this season is already more than in the entirety of 2020-21.
Southampton start looking up after Ralph Hasenhuttl outwits Antonio Conte again
As the full-time whistle blew, Southampton’s manager almost collapsed into the sodden turf in north London, such had been the momentous nature of his side’s comeback, with two goals in three minutes leaving Spurs utterly bereft.
Manchester United are unbeaten in 11 league meetings since a 1-0 home defeat in January 2016 with five wins and six draws.
Southampton lost this fixture 9-0 in February last season and have won just two of their 22 Premier League away games at Old Trafford (four draws, 16 defeats).
Manchester United have earned a Premier League record 36 points from losing positions against Southampton.
Ralf Rangnick makes just one change to the Manchester United team that started against Burnley during the week. Cristiano Ronaldo comes in to replace Edinson Cavani.
Ralph Hasenhuttl names an unchanged team from the side that defeated Tottenham 3-2 away from home on Wednesday.
Manchester United vs Southampton: Premier League standings
Sixth placed Manchester United can move back into the top four with a victory over Southampton today. They are currently one point behind West Ham (4th) but have a game in hand. The battle for the top four spots in a close one and anything less than three points for Ralf Rangnick’s team today would be seen as an opportunity not taken.
Southampton are in good form and have moved up to 10th in the table. They can jump ahead of 9th placed Brighton if they beat Man Utd away from home today but their goal will be to avoid defeat and continue their impressive run of form.
Manchester United are unbeaten in four Premier League games with two wins and two draws. Last time out they travelled to Turf Moor and took the lead through Paul Pogba in a dominant first half display. However they could not keep that momentum and following Jay Rodriguez’s 47th minute equaliser United hung on for a point.
Southampton are have lost just once in nine games across all competitions. They are unbeaten in their last three matches including a 1-1 against Manchester City and a 3-2 victory away at Spurs. The Tottenham match was Southampton’s last outing and they twice came from behind before Che Adams nodded home a winning goal at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium during the week.
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