While it might seem hyperbolic to suggest any league game in September could be classed as must-win, Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United side are undoubtedly in desperate need of three points.
In their last two outings, United were defeated at Brighton in a game that could have gone either way and then defeated 3-0 at home to Liverpool, and it could have been five or six. Even United’s solitary win was a hard fought 1-0 at home to Fulham on the opening day. Ten Hag’s team were supposed to build on last season’s FA Cup triumph this term and now, three seasons in, the manager may be running out of time.
Southampton, for their part, are in a more predictable kind of trouble. The newly promoted hosts are stranded alongside Everton on no points, having lost all three of their league games so far. If they are defeated on Saturday, they would become the first side to be beaten in their first four matches in three separate Premier League campaigns. Without wishing to accentuate the negative, Southampton are winless in their last 14 Premier League meetings with United, their last victory in the fixture coming way back in January 2016.
The good news for a fanbase unaccustomed to such concepts is that Manuel Ugarte was not registered in time for the match against Liverpool but is bound to feature this weekend for United, given Casemiro was so poor against Liverpool that he might have considered a witness relocation program once the final whistle had blown.
It has been a tough couple of weeks for the United manager since that defeat to Liverpool. There were false reports of a loss in a charity match while managing FC Utrecht as well as Cristiano Ronaldo suggesting the manager lacks ambition.
Southampton boss Russell Martin has made clear there will be changes for his side after those three successive defeats. For United, summer signing Leny Yoro is unlikely to feature before November, though Luke Shaw and Rasmus Hojlund could return soon while Victor Lindelof is back in training. Mason Mount is, inevitably, sidelined, and the United manager must feel as though this is a horrible repeat of last season, with two defeats already and the injuries piling up. Last season, United lost three of the first five matches of the Premier League season.
Southampton vs Manchester United odds
Odds updated as of 8 p.m. BST Friday.
- Southampton win: 7/2 (+350)
- Draw: 3/1 (+300)
- Manchester United win: 5/7 (-140)
Venue: St Mary’s Stadium — Southampton
Time: 12:30 p.m. BST (7:30 a.m. ET), Saturday
Form guide
Southampton: 0-0-3, 0 points (19th); L-L-L
Manchester United: 1-0-2, 3 points (14th); L-L-W
Match prediction
Southampton 1-1 Manchester United
They say a good compromise leaves neither party particularly happy. Both sides need a win and defeat would spell disaster. For those reasons, a 1-1 draw might be incoming.
(Photo of Joshua Zirkzee: Michael Regan / Getty Images)
