Southampton Vs. Manchester United: Efforts To Avoid Consecutive Defeats

MU wants to quote points at home to Southampton (photo: x @manutd)

JAKARTA - The two teams that both tried to return to winning ways after suffering defeat before the international break will meet at St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, on Saturday, September 14, when Southampton host Manchester United. The last time these two teams met was in March 2023 when the game ended in a goalless draw at Old Trafford.

Southampton are one of two Premier League clubs, along with Everton, who are entering the international break without a single point after losing their three new season opener against Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, and Brentford.

The losing 0-1 consecutive to Newcastle and Forest was followed by a 1-3 defeat to Brentford in their last game two weeks ago; Bryan Mbeumo scored twice, and Yoane Wissa added one before summer signing, Yukinari Sugawara, scoring for Southampton in the fifth minute of extra time.

Southampton manager Russell Martin, who led the club towards promotion from Championship through last season's playoffs, is now under pressure to reverse the club's fate. The latest report states that the 38-year-old coach could lose his job if the results don't improve before the end of September.

Southampton have four games this month, and Martin is targeting a positive result from each of those matches. Saturday's clash at home against Man United which is also inconclusive earlier this season will be followed by the match against Everton, promoted team Ipswich Town, and South Coast rival Bournemouth.

Southampton want to avoid becoming the first Premier League team to lose four opening games in three different seasons in this competition (previously in 1998-99 and 2012-13). However, the challenge was tough, as they have never won in their last 14 meetings with Man United in the Premier League since their 1-0 away win in January 2016.

Manchester United, having suffered two disappointing defeats in their first three Premier League games, have yet to show signs of a major revival under manager Erik ten Hag since he passed the sacking by Sir Jim Radcliffe and colleagues last summer.

After a narrow 1-0 win against Fulham, Man United lost 1-2 to Brighton & Hove Albion in stoppage time and then suffered a 0-3 loss to Liverpool's fierce rivals at Old Trafford before the international break.

With pressure rising again on Ten Hag, the Dutch manager insisted that outside criticism "does not affect him" and that this season Manchester United should be judged in May, not after three games in August.

Ten Hag hopes his side can bounce back in the game against Southampton in St Mary's, where they have been unbeaten in their last 12 Premier League visits since a narrow 1-0 loss in August 2003.

Manchester United have only lost once in their last 30 games against a newly promoted team in the Premier League (22 wins and 7 draws), but with just one win in their last six away games, as well as 16 goals conceded, there are some concerns.

Southampton still have to play without the main goalkeeper, Gavin Bazunu (Abolish injury), so Aaron Ramsdale will remain in goalkeeper position, while Kamaldeen Sulemana is also absent due to an ankle injury.

Ben Brereton Diaz, who was early in qualifying for the World Cup against Bolivia, was only a tactical decision, not an injury, so he was ready to start with Adam Armstrong or Cameron Archer. Ross Stewart has returned to training after a long absence but is still short of fitness.

Flynn Downes, Will Smallbone, and Joe Aribo started their final match in midfield, but Martin may be considering giving the start XI a place to summer signings, Mateus Fernandes and Adam Lallana.

On the side of Manchester United, Ten Hag has confirmed that Rasmus Hojlund (hamstring injury) and Luke Shaw (chip injury) are still absent, as are Leny Yoro (leg injury), Badminton Malacia (knee injury), Victor Lindelof (leg injury), and Mason Mount ( Muscle injury).

Pemain baru, Manuel Ugarte, yang merasa kurang fit sebelum bermain penuh selama 90 menit untuk Uruguay, kini telah pulih dan siap melakukan debutnya melawan Southampton.

Southampton: Ramsdale; Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Stephens; Sugawara, Fernandes, Downes, Smallbone, Walker-Peters; Brereton Diaz, Archer

Manchester United: Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez, Dalot; Ugarte, Mainoo; Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford; Zirkze