Manchester United finally look set to pick up their first victory of 2025 after a series of draws to start the new year.
United's improved on-field performance under Ruben Amorim is finally starting to show some results, following a 2-2 draw against Arne Slot's league leaders and an FA Cup thriller against Mikel Arteta's Arsenal.
Despite these results, the Portuguese manager has yet to grab his first three points of the New Year. His side's most recent Premier League victory came in December in the Manchester derby.
However, this unfortunate streak of winless returns in the league could potentially end this Thursday Night, as the Red Devils welcome the Saints to their home ground in a battle between two of the the league's newest managers.
While Ruben Amorim has made significant changes to his side's fortunes, the new boss at Saint Mary's has been much the same.
Southampton are currently winless in the league under their new head coach, Ivan Juric. The Croatian manager has only won a single game in his last five, against Championship opposition in Swansea.
Riding the high of a nail-biting penalty shootout win over the Gunners, Manchester United will surely be smelling blood facing a team in such terrible form at home.
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Team News: What can we expect from Amorim?
One of the few blows to come out of an otherwise perfect day at the Emirates was the suspension of Diogo Dalot, who will serve a one-game suspension after picking up two yellow cards against the Gunners.
Fortunately, however, Amad Diallo will likely come in to start on that right-hand side, after overcoming what Ruben Amorim described as a "little injury" to come on in the dying minutes of the game against Arsenal.
On the other side of the pitch, with no apparent update on when Luke Shaw, who has been out injured since the 3rd of December will return, either Tyrell Malacia or Nossair Mazrouai will likely come into the side to cover at left wing-back, filling in for both Dalot and Shaw.
Victor Lindelof, Mason Mount and Jonny Evans remain injured with no recent updates.
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Can Southampton threaten United?
As expected, according to the data, the Saints are one of the least threatening attacking sides in the Premier League statistically, ranking in the bottom three for both regular play expected goals, and set-piece expected goals, which is a benefit for Amorim's side, who have struggled to deal with set pieces in recent weeks.
However, one player who has stood out this season for Southampton as an attacking threat is 18-year-old star talent Tyler Dibling.
Despite his side's struggle this season, the Saints midfielder has put himself forward as a candidate this summer for multiple Premier League clubs in the likely case that Southampton does go down, with Man United being one of the many clubs rumoured to be interested.
The English youngster backed up potential interest in his signature with a brace against Swansea in the FA Cup last weekend, doubling his season tally of two goals to four, making him the Saint's top goalscorer this season.
Another potential threat United will have to be wary of is another one of Southampton's midfielders who has been a spark in an otherwise poor side this season, 20-year-old Mateus Fernandes, who has started 16 out of the Saint's 18 games played this season.
The Portuguese midfielder has been the main creator for Juric's side this season, ranking as one of the top young midfielders in the country in certain areas such as progressive carries and passes into the final third.
With the potential threat of both Fernandes and Dibling and the suspension of Dalot following the clash against Arsenal at the weekend, both Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte will be forced to put in a defensive shift ideal with Southampton's main threat in midfield.
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How can United attack Southampton?
