Manchester United and Southampton, both struggling in the Premier League, will look to carry over their success in last weekend’s FA Cup when they meet at Old Trafford on Thursday night.
The two sides have not faced each other since September last year when the Red devils thrashed the Saints 3-0 on the field at St Mary’s.
Man United had not won each of the last six across all competitions through 90 minutes, though the last two performances away from Liverpool and Arsenal will have offered head coach Ruben Amorim some glimpse of hope to overhaul the club fortunes at some point in the near future.
When the Red Devils came from behind and held Liverpool to a 2-2 draw in the Premier League match just over a week again, they staged a repeat performance on Sunday heaving Arsenal out of the third round 5-3 on penalties, thanks to goalkeeping heroics of Altay Bayindir.
Amorim has expressed satisfaction with how his team “competed” and “fought” for victory over Arsenal and has called on his players to replicate that effort if they are to move up the ladder in Premier League – Man United have recently been occupying the 13th place after having registered only one top-flight victory in the last seven matches.
Currently occupying a position lower than the captain of the English premier league, more lips than head, Manchester United will be out to secure a good run in the up coming weeks, All the next seven matches are against teams that are outside the top eight and Manchester United welcome a woeful Southampton on Thursday.
The Red Devils are trying to avoid losing at home for the fourth time in a row. They have won all 15 of their Premier League encounters with the Saints, but they have drew eight of them, including their past two at Old Trafford.
With just six points and a goal differential of -32 after 20 games, Southampton is officially the worst team in Premier League history. It is safe to say that they have had a difficult return to top-flight play this season.
Since taking over for Russell Martin, Juric has presided over three straight Premier League losses, including a crushing 5-0 setback to Brentford at home just over a week ago. This was Southampton's 16th loss of the season and their eighth by a margin of at least two goals.
It is now up to new head coach Ivan Juric to perform miracles if the Saints are to somehow close the 10-point gap to safety. Even the notorious Derby County team of 2007–08, who were demoted with just 10 points, had more points at this time in the season.
But on Sunday, the Saints had cause for optimism when they easily defeated Swansea City, a Championship team, 3-0 at home in the FA Cup third round, with to goals from Kamaldeen Sulemana and emerging youngster Tyler Dibling.
Southampton, who have lost their past 17 away Premier League games, is currently getting ready for Thursday's matchup with Manchester United in the top flight. However, they have only lost three of their last ten league visits to Manchester (W2 D5), with their most recent draw being in March 2023 at 0-0.
Diogo Dalot will miss one game after being sent off for two bookable infractions against Arsenal. Since Amad Diallo or Noussair Mazraoui play on the right, Tyrell Malacia could be remembered at left wing-back.
While goalie Gavin Bazunu played for the team's Under-21s last Friday after bouncing back from a chronic Achilles ailment, Will Smallbone made a welcome comeback from injury against Swansea and is in position to play again. However, Aaron Ramsdale is expected to stay in goal on Thursday.
