On Monday night, from 20:00, Manchester United will receive the visit of Southampton, in the 35th round of the Premier League. The “Devils” are in full swing for a UEFA Champions League place and are in excellent offensive form, with many “white balls” in the white-and-reds’ game. Southampton is saved from relegation and is coming to Old Trafford without much hope.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been impressing lately – even though he has earned the nickname “Mr. Penalty ”-, and the Norwegian gives great credit to young players. The average age of the first XI used by Solskjaer does not reach 25 years and this is an important aspect of the enthusiasm shown in the game of “devils”. Moreover, United recently became the FIRST team in Premier League history to win four consecutive matches by at least three goals!
On Monday night, Jones and Rojo will not be able to play at United, while Ralf Hasenhuttl will not have Boufal, Djenepo, Tella, Valery and Vestergaard. In the ranking, Manchester United is on the 5th place (goal average 59-33) and has only two points to recover until the podium! With four wins and a draw in the last five stages, the white-reds are on the wave and duel with the team in 12th place (goal difference 43-56), which lost only one stage in the previous five.
In the last rounds, Southampton defeated Norwich (3-0), Watford (3-1) and Manchester City (1-0), then drew in a difficult match with Everton (1-1). United comes after successes with Sheffield United (3-0), Brighton (3-0), Bournemouth (5-2) and Aston Villa (3-0). What a journey for Martial, Pogba, Fernandes and Greenwood! In fact, the transfer of Bruno Fernandes increased the quality of construction at United, who drew with the “saints” in 3 of the last 5 duels.
Man United: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Matic, Pogba; Greenwood, Fernandes, Rashford; Martial
Coach: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Southampton: McCarthy; Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Stephens, Bertrand; Armstrong, Ward-Prowse, Hojbjerg, Redmond; Ings, Long
Coach: Ralf Hasenhuttl
-They scored both teams in each of the last 3 direct duels: 1-1 in the round, on St. Mary’s;
-Southampton have won just one of their last 10 games with Manchester United;
-Danny Ings opened the scoring in Southampton’s previous three away games;
-Mason Greenwood have scored in the last 3 consecutive matches for Manchester United;
-Only in a direct match in the last 17 the difference in score was greater than one goal;
-Manchester United has 10 victories in 17 stages played at home, this season;
PREDICTION: Over 2,5 goals @ 1,54
