Southampton host Manchester United in Saturday’s early Premier League kickoff as England’s top flight returns following the September international break.
United were humbled 3-0 at home by Liverpool in their previous game, the result and performance placing manager Erik ten Hag under further pressure following a 2-1 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion on matchday two.
Southampton’s return to the top tier has yielded three defeats from three games, but Saints fans will feel their team deserved more for their efforts. The chance to get their first points of the 2024/25 season against a United team that still looks fragile is one they will be determined to take.
The Sporting News looks at the latest confirmed team news, the latest on injuries, and the predicted lineups for this fixture.
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Southampton vs. Man United lineups, expected starting 11, confirmed team news
Southampton lost all three of their opening league games of the season, but there’s a strong argument that Russell Martin’s side deserved more. They had possessional dominance against Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest and Brentford, only to be undone by a lack of clinical finishing.
That means Martin will probably resist the urge to tinker much with his lineup. Indeed, he could stick with a unchanged side from the 3-1 loss to Brentford, with Aaron Ramsdale in line for a home debut.
Southampton predicted XI (3-5-2, right to left): Ramsdale (GK) — Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Stephens — Sugawara, Smallbone, Downes, Aribo, Waker-Peters — Armstrong, Brereton Diaz
Injured: Gavin Bazunu
Suspended: None
United captain Bruno Fernandes took a knock to his foot during the international break but insisted it was a minor concern. He will likely start in attack alongside Joshua Zirkzee given Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount are sidelined.
Manuel Ugarte will hope to make his debut from the start in midfield, perhaps in place of the under-fire Casemiro, unless Ten Hag decides to give Kobbie Mainoo a break. Amad Diallo should come back into the lineup after being a substitute for the loss to Liverpool.
Man United predicted XI (4-2-2-2, right to left): Onana (GK) — Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez, Dalot — Ugarte, Mainoo — Rashford, Amad — Fernandes, Zirkzee
Injured: Leny Yoro, Tyrell Malacia, Mason Mount, Rasmus Hojlund, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw, Bruno Fernandes (doubt)
Suspended: None
Southampton vs. Man United live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this xx match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| USA | USA Network, Universo | Fubo, Universo NOW, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, NBC site/app |
| Canada | — | Fubo |
| UK | TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate | discovery+ |
| Australia | — | Optus Sport |
| India | Star Sports Select 1 | JioTV, Hotstar VIP |
