Manchester United and Southampton started the 2021/22 season in contrasting form last weekend as they prepare to meet at St Mary’s on Sunday afternoon.
United made a big statement with a 5-1 crush of Leeds, while the Saints collapsed in the second half against Everton and lost 3-1, despite leading at half time.
Both clubs will be desperate to score on the board here – United to underline their early hopes of taking a serious title challenge this season, and Southampton in an attempt to throw away a tag of relegation favorites and build a positive momentum.
Here is a look at everything you need to know about the luminaire …
When is it kick-off? Sunday 22 AugustWhat time is the kick-off? 14:00 (BST)Where is it played? St Mary’sTV channel / livestream? Sky SportsMain Event / Sky Sports Premier League (UK), fuboTV (USA)Judge? Craig Pawson
Ralph Hasenhuttl has practically a perfectly suitable squad / Robin Jones / Getty Images
The Saints have no new injuries to report ahead of this game, with James Ward-Prowse building on full match condition after overcoming an injury that started last weekend.
The squad will also be strengthened by Adam Armstrong’s goal start, despite defeat.
Raphael Varane has been training this week and could at least do the bench / Catherine Ivill / Getty Images
Jadon Sancho started a training match this week and has a chance to make his full United debut, while Raphael Varane and Edinson Cavani could at least get on the bench after starting training this week. Eric Bailly can also return to the match day squad.
Marcus Rashford is making faster progress than expected after shoulder surgery but remains on the sidelines at the moment, as is Alex Telles. Dean Henderson is still hesitant
Southampton: McCarthy; Walker-Peters, Stephens, Salisu, Perraud; S. Armstrong, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Djenepo; Adams, A. Armstrong
Manchester United: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; McTominay, Fred, Fernandes; Sancho, Greenwood, Pogba
Man Utd won 9-0 last time they met Southampton / Laurence Griffiths / Getty Images
Manchester United have won 67 games against Southampton’s 28 since the clubs first met in 1897, with 34 competitions ending in a draw.
This game was a Premier League staple for the first 13 years of the period after 1992 and has once again become a regular in the calendar since Southampton returned to the top round in 2012.
United won 9-0 the last time these teams met, which was at Old Trafford in February, while the Red Devils won the last St Mary’s meeting 3-2 in November. Both league meetings during the 2019/20 campaign ended in a draw, and all but one of the last six matches have presented at least four goals.
The Saints have not beaten United in any match, at home or away, since back-to-back victories at Old Trafford in 2015 and 2016.
Form makes it very difficult to see beyond a fairly comfortable Manchester United victory here.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s team was extremely impressive in their opening against Leeds and was not even at full strength. They have shown that they are more than capable of scoring against any defense that shows any signs of weakness in the event of a loss.
Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Saints, on the other hand, had a very poor second half of last season – only went on to win 12 at a time – and have struggled to strengthen and lost two key players in the transfer market in Danny Ings and Jannik Vestergaard.
They have started badly again and it does not bode well.
Prediction: Southampton 0-4 Manchester United
