Man Utd vs Southampton | Premier League | Pre Match

Ruben Amorim will hope the tides are turning after impressive performances against Liverpool and Arsenal.

Manchester United’s next test is to put away struggling Southampton on Thursday night at Old Trafford. For United, the encounter offers a chance to not only halt their worrying home form but also solidify their standing in a tightly contested Premier League season. Ruben Amorim, tasked with steadying the ship, has shown glimpses of tactical ingenuity that have revitalized the team’s approach, even in the face of recent adversity.

United edged past Arsenal in the FA Cup third round on penalties after a 1-1 draw across 120 minutes. Backup goalkeeper Altay Bayindir proved the hero, denying Martin Ødegaard’s spot-kick in regular time before pushing away Kai Havertz’s penalty in the shootout. The victory came despite a significant setback, as Diogo Dalot was sent off during the second half of normal time. The resilience shown by United in such a high-pressure encounter underscored their potential to overcome challenging circumstances when fully focused.

Bruno Fernandes opened the scoring at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, adding to his assist for Lisandro Martínez’s opener in a hard-fought 2-2 draw with Liverpool in their previous Premier League outing. Fernandes has continued to thrive as a creative lynchpin, dictating play with his vision and precise passing. Meanwhile, Lisandro Martínez’s ability to score crucial goals has proven vital in tight contests, further establishing him as a cornerstone of Amorim’s plans.

Amad Diallo also delivered a moment of magic in the Liverpool clash, equalizing late on after Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah had put the league leaders ahead. Diallo’s remarkable form has seen him involved in nine goals in his last 12 Premier League starts, scoring three and assisting six. He now stands on the verge of history, as he could become the first African player to reach double figures for goal involvements in a single campaign for United. The winger’s rapid development has been one of the standout stories of United’s season, and his ability to produce in high-pressure moments has endeared him to the fans.

However, Amorim desperately needs to see improvements at the back, particularly from set-pieces. Although United defended crosses resolutely against Arsenal, they have conceded nine of their 28 league goals this season from corners, and as many from headers – a league-high percentage (32%) in both counts. This vulnerability has cost United dearly in critical moments, and shoring up their defense in these areas will be a key focus moving forward. Only struggling Wolves have conceded more goals overall from both methods (10 from corners, 10 headers), but Amorim may at least take some confidence from United’s last two defensive showings, which exhibited signs of better organization and discipline.

Returning to Old Trafford, however, could pose a different challenge altogether. United have lost each of their last three Premier League games at home, a streak that has left fans frustrated and questioning the team’s mentality. The last time United endured such a run was in February 1934 as a second-tier side (five consecutive losses), while their last top-flight streak of this kind came in October 1930 (six losses). Breaking this unfortunate pattern will be crucial for Amorim’s men, as they seek to reestablish Old Trafford as a fortress.

United’s prospects may be buoyed by the fact that Southampton are winless in their last 17 Premier League away games (D4 L13). This dismal run represents their second-longest drought without a top-flight win on the road, the worst being a 19-game stretch between March 1985 and February 1986. Adding to their woes, Ivan Juric’s side were hammered 5-0 at home by Brentford in their last league outing, leaving them 10 points adrift of safety at the bottom of the table. Southampton’s defensive frailties and lack of confidence away from home make them prime candidates for United to target.

Nonetheless, Southampton’s 3-0 victory over Swansea City in the FA Cup third round on Sunday offered a glimmer of hope for their fans. Kamaldeen Sulemana opened the scoring with a well-taken strike, while Tyler Dibling’s brace sealed a much-needed morale boost. The result marked Southampton’s first win in any competition since their 1-0 victory over Everton in early November. Juric will hope the FA Cup success can serve as a springboard for improved performances in the league, though the challenge of facing United at Old Trafford remains daunting.

In terms of team news, Amorim will have to contend with several absentees. Jonny Evans, Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelöf, and Mason Mount remain unavailable, while Marcus Rashford – who has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford – will be assessed on his return from illness. Dalot’s suspension following his red card against Arsenal further complicates matters for United’s defense. Meanwhile, Ross Stewart and Jack Stephens are the only confirmed absentees for Southampton, though they could be boosted by the returns of Joe Aribo, Mateus Fernandes, Flynn Downes, and Will Smallbone.

Historically, this fixture has favored Manchester United. Southampton have failed to win any of their last 15 Premier League games against United (D8 L7), with their last triumph at Old Trafford coming in January 2016. However, the Saints have managed to avoid defeat in seven of their last 10 visits to the red half of Manchester in the competition (W2 D5). This recent resilience will provide a glimmer of hope for Juric’s side, who will aim to exploit United’s struggles at home.

The reverse fixture earlier this season saw United claim a comfortable 3-0 victory, with Matthijs de Ligt, Rashford, and Alejandro Garnacho finding the net. The game also featured a red card for Southampton’s Jack Stephens, adding to the Saints’ misery. For United, the performance highlighted their attacking prowess and ability to capitalize on defensive lapses, qualities they will look to replicate in Thursday’s clash.

As the match approaches, the stakes are clear for both teams. For United, it is an opportunity to end their home losing streak, regain momentum, and tighten their grip on a top-four position. For Southampton, it is a chance to defy expectations, secure a morale-boosting result, and keep their faint hopes of survival alive. The contrast in objectives sets the stage for a fascinating encounter under the lights at Old Trafford.