Preview: United v Southampton

Manchester United welcome Southampton to Old Trafford for our first home match of 2025.

Ruben Amorim’s men are seeking a first Premier League win since the derby triumph away to Manchester City last month.

However, the year has started with excellent performances away to leaders Liverpool, in a 2-2 draw, and Arsenal, when knocking the Gunners out of the Emirates FA Cup at the third-round stage on Sunday.

The Saints are deep in the relegation mire, currently sitting bottom of the table and eight points adrift of 19th-placed Leicester City.

Check out all you need to know ahead of the game…

HOW TO WATCH

Thursday’s encounter kicks off at 20:00 GMT, with viewers in the UK able to watch it live on TNT Sports.

MUTV’s build-up to the game starts at 18:55 GMT, as you get a look at the players arriving and behind-the-scenes footage. You can listen along to the game via our radio commentary, with pre-match and post-match coverage also offered, live from our MUTV team at the Theatre of Dreams.

For live updates and stats from the game, you can visit the Match Centre on the United App and Man Utd.com, while highlights will be available from midnight.

TEAM NEWS

Diogo Dalot is ruled out through suspension, after being sent off at the Emirates Stadium at the weekend. Tyrell Malacia would appear favourite to fill in at left wing-back but there are other options as head coach Ruben Amorim considers which XI to select. 

Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof and Mason Mount have all been sidelined, of late, while Amad did not start after carrying a knock into the cup tie.

Flynn Downes could return from a thigh problem for the visitors but Jack Stephens and Ross Stewart are out. Will Smallbone made his return in the 3-0 home victory over Swansea City on Sunday.

Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu is available again after Achilles surgery.

OPPOSITION REPORT

Saints recently replaced Russell Martin with Ivan Juric as manager and he oversaw a first win in all competitions since 2 November, when Swansea were beaten, in the FA Cup, last time out.

The south-coast outfit have only secured three points once in the Premier League this term, beating Everton 1-0, and are currently rooted to the bottom of the table.

Juric will hope to ensure some improvement but a smarting 5-0 home reverse to Brentford last time out was a setback. The Croatian was pleased with the intensity shown in the St Mary’s tie and is seeking similar efforts on Thursday night.

Exciting youngster Tyler Dibling has been switched to a centre-forward role, and scored twice against the Swans, highlighting that the 18-year-old will need to be kept in close check at Old Trafford.

See how we fared in the corresponding fixture against Southampton.

DID YOU KNOW?

This will be the 50th Premier League meeting between the clubs. United won 3-0 at Southampton earlier in the season, thanks to goals from Matthijs de Ligt, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho.

It was a 30th league win since 1992 against the Saints and our last defeat to them came at home in January 2016, when Charlie Austin scored the only goal of the game.

Our joint-record league win, 9-0, was achieved in 2021, after the south-coast side were reduced to 10 men early on at Old Trafford.

RIVALS WATCH

Ours is the last of the 10 top-flight fixtures being played during midweek. Two of the top three go head to head tonight (Tuesday), with Nottingham Forest taking on Liverpool at The City Ground and the north-London derby takes centre stage on Wednesday at the Emirates Stadium.

TUESDAY

Brentford v Manchester City
Chelsea v Bournemouth
West Ham United v Fulham
Nottingham Forest v Liverpool (20:00 GMT)

WEDNESDAY

Everton v Aston Villa
Leicester City v Crystal Palace
Newcastle United v Wolves
Arsenal v Tottenham (20:00 GMT)

THURSDAY

Ipswich Town v Brighton 
UNITED v Southampton (20:00 GMT)

Kick-offs 19:30 GMT unless stated.

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