Manchester United and Southampton have played out some infamous matches in Premier League history. United’s grey kit debacle of 1996 actually occurred in their 3-1 defeat, not the 6-3 early the following season, though since the turn of the millennium, the Saints have won just four of their 37 match-ups, succumbing to a record-tying 9-0 shellacking in February 2021.
It has not been an auspicious return to the top flight for Southampton, losing all of their opening three matches, only scoring for the first time in the 94th minute of their most recent contest. But then neither have Erik ten Hag’s men flown out the traps, with their 3-0 defeat by close rivals Liverpool needing undoing quickly. The visitors are a best price of 4/5 with William Hill to get back to winning ways, with Southampton at 7/2 more generally.
Southampton vs Manchester United Tips
Tip #1 – Amad Diallo to Score First @ 17/2 with bet365
Manchester United fans have gotten used to slow Premier League starts in recent seasons. Even when eventually propelled to third in 2022/23, Erik ten Hag lost his first two games in charge to Brighton and Brentford before recovering, partly via the help of beating Southampton at St Mary’s in gameweek four. That said, this term, while their performance conclusively dipped against Liverpool, especially in possession in their own half, United still created chances that they should routinely put away.
In terms of big chances missed, only Liverpool tie them for the most in the league so far this season with nine, two more than any other club. They include two comical open goal misses from Alejandro Garnacho, who may be in line to start, though Amad Diallo made an impact off the bench against Liverpool having got off the mark against Brighton at the Amex. With Marcus Rashford still in indifferent form and Garnacho wasteful, the Ivorian looks their most dangerous wing threat. Southampton conceded twice to Bryan Mbeumo’s left foot from Brentford’s right wing last time out and United’s best hope of capitalising may be through their own left-footer.
Tip #2 – Manchester United to Win 2-0 @ 9/1 Generally
Since the 9-0, Southampton have kept things tight against United. The sides traded 1-1 draws in 2021/22, but even in their relegation season two years ago, Saints lost only 1-0 at home, and gained a point at Old Trafford when United went down to ten men in the first half. This has not been a fixture for goal threat and with only three goals scored between the two sides so far this season, this may be another for the purists only.
United’s profligate finishing may only last so long though. Their confidence may well be dented, but they have started to press more effectively, and with Russell Martin sticking to his philosophies of playing from the first line of defence, this has to be treated as a golden opportunity to begin fostering momentum. The same could be said on the opposing side for Saints, but they are nevertheless the underdogs. A second goal may be necessary for United’s comfort, but it will unlikely be pretty viewing.
Southampton Performances So Far
Martin will mostly rue his side’s opening day defeat to Newcastle in terms of performances so far, with his men unable to make the most of their one-man advantage despite playing well. Another narrow reverse to Nottingham Forest was less encouraging before Brentford ruthlessly completed the job at the G-Tech to make it three defeats from three. A rollercoaster victory over Cardiff in the Carabao Cup was sandwiched in the middle.
Southampton Results So Far
Brentford 3-1 Southampton
Cardiff 3-5 Southampton (League Cup)
Southampton 0-1 Nottingham Forest
Newcastle 1-0 Southampton
Manchester United Performances So Far
There were encouraging signs in United’s opening two matches, even in defeat to Brighton when the pendulum could just as easily have swung in their favour. However, there was distinctly less in their sloppy 3-0 loss to Liverpool in which many things went awry. The promise of their 1-1 draw in the Community Shield (before defeat on penalties) now seems a distant memory.
Manchester United Results So Far
Manchester United 0-3 Liverpool
Brighton 2-1 Manchester United
Manchester United 1-0 Fulham
Manchester City 1-1 Manchester United (City won 7-6 on pens)