Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
2024/25 English Premier League
Matchday 21
Manchester United v Southampton
Old Trafford
Manchester, England
Thursday, 16 January 2025
Kick-off is at 20h00
Manchester United will be desperate to halt a four-match winless run in the
Premier League when they host relegation-threatened Southampton at Old Trafford on Thursday, January 16.
The Red Devils have not made the start they'd hoped for under Ruben Amorim, who has won just two of his opening nine league matches since replacing Erik ten Hag at the helm in November.
United arrested a three-game losing streak after they held table-topping Liverpool to a 2-2 draw in January 5 and they beat Arsenal on penalties in the FA Cup third round seven days later.
Amorim's side are still languishing down in 13th place, five points outside the top 10 and they are in danger of not even qualifying for Europe, never mind the UEFA Champions League.
The Saints are rooted to the foot of the table and seem destined for a swift return to the Championship as they find themselves 10 points adrift of safety.
Russell Martin was relieved of his duties in the wake of the 5-0 hammering at the hands of Tottenham on December 15 and his successor, Ivan Juric, lost his first two games in charge.
The 5-0 reverse to Brentford on January 4 was the third time the south coast club had conceded five goals in a match this term and they have the worst goal difference (-32) in the top flight.
Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
Diogo Dalot's sending-off against the Gunners leaves the hosts light in defence as they are already without Luke Shaw (calf), Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans, while Mason Mount (thigh) and Marcus Rashford (illness) are also unavailable.
Juric has an almost fully-fit squad at his disposal, with Jack Stephens and Ross Stewart (calf) the only two confirmed absentees as Flynn Downes (thigh) could make his comeback against United.
Altay Bayindir could be pushing for his first Premier League start after starring in the FA Cup win against Arsenal, saving two penalties - one in normal time and one in the shootout.
Amorim praised the Turkish goalkeeper's performance, saying: "Altay had a difficult game against Tottenham [in the Carabao Cup], but continued to do the same things in training, maybe without a smile, but he continued to work and today he is our hero."
Juric saw his team clear the first hurdle of the FA Cup with a 3-0 victory over Swansea in the third round and he hopes to build on that following the "disaster" against the Bees one week earlier.
"Against Brentford it was a disaster, I think. Today we did a good game, but we have to prepare well against Manchester United," the Croatian said.
"I hope we will play like we did against West Ham and Crystal Palace - that we are competitive, working on the details and we will try to win the games."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Man United wins - 2
Southampton wins - 3
Draws - 0
Premier League Matchday 21 fixtures:
Tuesday, January 14
21h30: Brentford v Manchester City
21h30: West Ham United v Fulham
21h30: Chelsea v Bournemouth
22h00: Nottingham Forest v Liverpool
Wednesday, January 15
21h30: Everton v Aston Villa
21h30: Leicester City v Crystal Palace
21h30: Newcastle United v Wolverhampton Wanderers
22h00: Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur
Thursday, January 16
21h30: Ipswich Town v Brighton & Hove Albion
22h00: Manchester United v Southampton
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