Southampton vs. Manchester United | EPL | Pre Match

Two teams seeking to return to winning ways after suffering defeats prior to the international break square off at St Mary's on Saturday lunchtime, as Southampton play host to Manchester United.

The last time these two sides faced each other was in March 2023 when they played out a goalless stalemate in the top flight at Old Trafford.

Southampton were one of only two Premier League clubs, along with Everton, who entered the international break without a single point on the board after losing their opening three matches of the new season to Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest and Brentford.

Back-to-back 1-0 defeats to Newcastle and Forest were followed by a 3-1 away loss to Brentford in their most recent fixture a fortnight ago; Bryan Mbeumo (2) and Yoane Wissa got their names on the scoresheet before summer signing Yukinari Sugawara netted a consolation strike for the Saints in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

Southampton boss Russell Martin, who steered the club to Championship promotion via the playoffs last season, now finds himself under pressure to turn the club's fortunes around, with recent reports claiming that the 38-year-old could lose his job if results do not improve by the end of September.

The Saints have four games to prepare for this month and Martin will be targeting positive results from each of those, with Saturday's clash at home to Man United - who have been far from convincing at the start of this term - followed by fixtures against basement club Everton, newly-promoted Ipswich Town and South Coast rivals Bournemouth.

Southampton are seeking to avoid becoming the first Premier League team to lose each of their opening four matches in three different campaigns in the division (previously doing so in 1998-99 and 2012-13). That could prove challenging on Saturday, though, as they are winless in their last 14 top-flight meetings with Man United since a 1-0 away win in January 2016.

After suffering two disappointing defeats in their opening three Premier League matches, it is fair to say that Man United have shown no signs of a major revival under the tutelage of manager Erik ten Hag since he was spared the axe by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co in the summer.

The Red Devils followed up an unconvincing 1-0 opening win at home to Fulham with a last-gasp 2-1 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion, before suffering a 3-0 defeat to bitter rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford in their most recent match prior to the international break.

With pressure beginning to mount on Ten Hag once again, the Dutchman has insisted that the outside noise "doesn't impact" him and that Man United's season should be 'judged in May next year' and not after just three league games in August.

Ten Hag will hope that his Red Devils side can put things right in Saturday's favourable-looking fixture at St Mary's where they are unbeaten in their last 12 Premier League visits since a narrow 1-0 loss back in August 2003.

Man United have only lost one of their last 30 Premier League games against newly-promoted sides (W22 D7), including 15 wins in their last 17 such matches, but a run of just one win in six away league games - conceding 16 goals in the process - leaves a little to be desired.

Southampton are still having to cope without long-term absentee Gavin Bazunu (Achilles), so Aaron Ramsdale will continue between the sticks, while Kamaldeen Sulemana is also unavailable due to an ankle injury.

Ben Brereton Diaz's early withdrawal in Chile's CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier against Bolivia on Tuesday was a tactical decision and not a fitness one, so he is ready to start for the Saints up front with either Adam Armstrong or Cameron Archer. Ross Stewart, meanwhile, has returned to training after a lengthy spell on the sidelines and is only lacking match fitness.

Flynn Downes, Will Smallbone and Joe Aribo all started in midfield last time out, but Martin may consider handing either Mateus Fernandes and Adam Lallana, two new recruits over the summer, a place in his first XI.

As for Man United, Ten Hag has confirmed that Rasmus Hojlund (hamstring) and Luke Shaw (calf) both remain sidelined with injuries, while Leny Yoro (foot), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Victor Lindelof (toe) and Mason Mount (muscle) are also in the treatment room.

Summer signing Manuel Ugarte recently admitted that he was feeling slightly under the weather prior to playing the full 90 minutes for Uruguay on Monday. Ten Hag has, however, since confirmed that the midfielder is available to make his debut against the Saints.

Ugarte could therefore start at the expense of Casemiro, who had an afternoon to forget against Liverpool, while captain Bruno Fernandes is also fit to feature after revealing that the knock he sustained in Portugal's UEFA Nations League win over Scotland was only a minor one.