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Manchester United will be attempting to build on their FA Cup third round triumph over Arsenal when they welcome Southampton to Old Trafford in the Premier League.
United, who are unbeaten in their last 16 meetings with the Saints, progressed to the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday with a 5-3 penalty shootout victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, ensuring they built on the 2-2 draw they earned against Liverpool a week earlier.
Having made a positive start to 2025, United will now be itching to secure their first Premier League win since beating Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium almost five weeks ago. They are winless in their last four league outings, losing three.
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Showing signs of improvement against both Liverpool and Arsenal, head coach Ruben Amorim will be determined to see his team maintain their upward trajectory against bottom-of-the-table Southampton, who have won just once in the league all season.
Regarding the team news, United will be without defender Diogo Dalot because of suspension after he was sent-off against Arsenal and Harry Maguire will be assessed.
Despite being United’s hero against the Gunners, goalkeeper Altay Bayindir is likely to drop back down to the bench, making way for Andre Onana to reclaim his place between the posts. He has started every Premier League game since joining the club in July 2023.
Amorim has settled on a preferred back-three in recent matches, naming the same defensive line for each of United’s last three games. However, Maguire will be assessed ahead of the visit of the Saints, meaning a late call may be made on his availability.
Should he win his fitness battle, he should retain his place in the centre of the back-three, flanked by Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez. However, in the event of Maguire missing out, Leny Yoro could come in and start at right-sided centre-back.
Amorim will be forced into making a change at left-sided wing-back amid Dalot’s one-match ban. He has started every league game for United this term, meaning Amorim will have to make do without him for the first time.
Tyrell Malacia is the only other left-sided defender available for selection, meaning he could start in his place, allowing Noussair Mazraoui to continue at right wing-back. Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo could start alongside each other in midfield for the third game running.
In attack, Amad could be restored to the starting XI after a “small issue” meant he started the FA Cup triumph over Arsenal on the bench. He could take Alejandro Garnacho’s place and start in the right-sided No.10 role, joining forces with Rasmus Hojlund and Bruno Fernandes up front.
How Manchester United could line up against Southampton.
United predicted XI vs Southampton: Onana; De Ligt, Maguire, Martinez; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Mainoo, Malacia; Amad, Hojlund, Fernandes.