Subs: Bayindir, Kukonki, Maguire, Malacia, Casemiro, Collyer, Eriksen, Antony, Zirkzee.
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Southampton: Ramsdale, Sugawara, Bree, Bednarek, Harwood-Bellis, Ugochukwu, Fernandes, Aribo, Walker-Peters, Dibling, Sulemana.
Subs: McCarthy, Manning, Wood, Smallbone, Downes, Lallana, Armstrong, Archer, Onuachu.
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Yes, yes, all the humorists are calling it a relegation battle. But let’s be serious, so never mind them. Not that Manchester United are doing well, exactly, down in the not-recently-charted waters of 15th spot. But a win tonight over the doomed Saints would spring them up to 12th, and within swinging distance of the top half of the table. Thin gruel for a club of United’s stature and history, but this is where they are right now, though a couple of street-fighting results against big rivals in Liverpool and Arsenal have got Ruben Amorim and his men looking upwards towards the light once more. Rock-bottom Southampton, who have lost 12 of their last 15 Premier League matches, winning just one, and were beaten 3-0 by United on their own turf back in September, will most likely settle for a dignified defeat. Then again, football being what it is, you never know, and the Saints have given the Red Devils an unexpected bloody nose more than once before, as this retro edition of the Joy of Six illustrates. Kick-off at Old Trafford is at 8pm GMT. It’s on!
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main events
Manchester United made three changes to their starting XI after defeating Arsenal in the FA Cup. Andre Onana regains his place in goal at the expense of Emirates hero Altay Bayundur, while Lenny Yolo and Amad Diallo step up, Harry Maguire drops to the bench and Diogo Dalot picks up last weekend's red card. He was absent due to suspension.
Southampton made one change to the team that beat Swansea City 3-0 in the cup. Yukinari Sugawara will take the place of Ryan Manning, who is on the bench.
team
Manchester United: Onana, Mazrawi, De Ligt, Martinez, Yoro, Diallo, Ugarte, Mainu, Garnacho, Fernandez, Hoylund.
Subs: Bindil, Cuconchi, Maguire, Malasia, Casemiro, Collier, Eriksen, Anthony, Zirkzee.
Southampton: Ramsdale, Sugawara, Bree, Bednarek, Harwood Bellis, Ugochukwu, Fernandes, Aribo, Walker Peters, Dibring, Slemana.
Subs: McCarthy, Manning, Wood, Smallbone, Downs, Lallana, Armstrong, Archer, Onuachu.
preamble
Yes, yes, all the humorists call this a relegation battle. But let's be serious. So don't worry about them. That's not to say Manchester United are doing well at 15th place, a place they haven't been ranked in recently. But a win against the doomed Saints tonight would see them move up to 12th place and within reach of the top half of the table. It's flimsy for a club with United's stature and history, but this is where they are now. However, some results in street battles against big rivals Liverpool and Arsenal have Rouben Amorim and his men looking up towards the light once again. Bottom-of-the-table Southampton, who have lost 12 of their last 15 Premier League games and won just one, are likely to settle for a dignified defeat after losing 3-0 to United on their own in September. However, no one knows what football is like. And as this retro version of The Joy of Six shows, Saints have given the Red Devils plenty of unexpected nosebleeds in the past. Kick-off at Old Trafford is at 8pm local time. It's on!
