Manchester Utd vs Southampton Prediction: 16/1/2025

Manchester United has been a disappointment this season, considering the quality of the squad and the heavy financial investment involved. The Red Devils are currently 13th in the Premier League, 11 points off sixth place, and will most likely not secure a European qualification spot. Under the guidance of Ruben Amorim, the team has struggled for consistency and is winless in their last four league games.

Having been handed successive losses to Bournemouth 3-0, Wolverhampton 2-0, and Newcastle 2-0, they managed to scramble a point by drawing their last outing 2-2 against league leaders Liverpool. At the weekend, Manchester United hosted Arsenal in the FA Cup. They are further lying 7th in the Europa League standings, where a good finish is paramount if they have to sail directly into the round of 16.

Southampton’s return to the Premier League has been quite arduous so far, with the club languishing in the cellar on just six points after 20 matches. Currently, the promoted team is a full 10 points adrift of safety as relegation starts to look inevitable. Without a victory in their last 10 league outings, they’ve managed just two draws while losing eight times. Recent results include a 0-0 draw against Fulham, followed by defeats to West Ham 1-0, Crystal Palace 2-1, and Brentford 5-0. Last weekend, Southampton hosted Swansea in the FA Cup.

Manchester United still have to deal with injuries, as defenders Shaw and Lindelof, together with midfielder Mount, remain out of action. Marcus Rashford will most probably miss this week’s match, too. Influential players such as Diallo, with three goals and six assists, and Bruno Fernandes, with four goals and six assists, may well be involved in this match. However, forwards Zirkzee and Hojlund, with three and two league goals respectively, have underperformed this season.

Southampton are not without their problems, though, as experienced defender Stephens, second-choice goalkeeper Bazunu and striker Stewart are ruled out by injury. Midfield duo Downes and Smallbone are doubts. On a brighter note, Matheus Fernandes is back from suspension. The Saints have an imbalance throughout the pitch, possessing the worst attack in the league and the 19th-best defence. To boost their squad, in the winter transfer window, Southampton recruited left-back Welington from Sao Paulo and young French defender Kayi Sanda from Valenciennes.

Prediction

Manchester United’s home record, with three wins in eight league matches at Old Trafford, offers something to cling on to. Southampton, having picked up only two points from their 15 away games this season, looks like an ideal opponent for United to bounce back.

Prediction: Manchester United 2-0 Southampton