2021-22 Premier League: Week 25 – Manchester United vs Southampton

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Southampton look to cause another shock as they visit Manchester United at Old Trafford. 

Victory for Utd would see them reclaim fourth until at least Sunday evening, whereas Southampton can go ninth for a few hours at minimum with a win.

 

Team News

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Alex Telles is set to return for Man Utd after missing their last two matches following a positive Coronavirus test.

Eric Bailly (ankle) is a doubt but Fred (Coronavirus) and Mason Greenwood (personal) remain absent.

Southampton could be without Nathan Redmond after he missed Wednesday’s win at Tottenham with an ankle injury.

Alex McCarthy (thigh), Nathan Tella (groin) and Lyanco (hamstring) remain ruled out.

 

Stat Attack

• Man Utd are unbeaten in their last 11 league games against Southampton (W5, D6).
• Southampton are winless in their last five visits to Old Trafford (D2, L3).
• Marcus Rashford has scored once in each of Utd’s last two home games against Southampton.
• Utd have scored more than one goal in a home game in just two of eight home matches across all competitions since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s exit in late November.
• James Ward-Prowse has been involved in seven of Southampton’s last 12 away goals in all competitions, having scored three goals and provided four assists.

 

Prediction

Following their FA Cup exit last weekend, it was really more of the same for Utd in their midweek draw at Burnley because they were dominant, yet wasted chances through a mixture of finishing or poor positioning which led to offside decisions.

Southampton meanwhile were made to fight hard in their comeback at Tottenham because their attacking press was relentless with great energy in their movement with clinical finishing, amidst some poor lapses of focus in defence which would of been costly on another day.

I therefore won’t be surprised if we see a tough game at Old Trafford because Utd will certainly dominate but if Southampton can cause issues across the pitch, this could get scrappy the longer Utd waste chances which should give the Saints hope of a win if they’re clinical.

A draw on that note wouldn’t be surprising but if Southampton play like they did at Spurs in midweek, I would fancy them to come here and cause a surprise given Utd’s wasteful ability in the final third.

Prediction: Manchester United 1-1 Southampton

Result: Manchester United 1-1 Southampton