Southampton vs Manchester Utd Prediction & Betting Tips (14 September)

Last in the Premier League at the end of the 2022/2023 financial year, Southampton only needed one season to return to the elite. Indeed, the Saints did not overcome the competition last year but still managed to climb. 4th in the Championship after the regular phase, they then dismissed West Brom in the semi-finals and Leeds in the promotion final. The promoted player is logically expected in the fight not to go down this season and the first results confirm this prediction. Indeed, Southampton lost their first three league matches played against Newcastle 1-0, Nottingham Forest 0-1 and Brentford on the last day 3-1. In the League Cup, the Saints got rid of the trap set by Cardiff after a crazy match 3-5. Despite a quality squad, Manchester United is struggling to give the full measure of its potential these days. Last year, the Red Devils showed serious shortcomings in the game and great irregularity.

They thus had to settle for a somewhat resounding 8th place in the Premier League, far from the Big 4 targets 8 points behind. United saved their season in the final match of the previous year by winning the FA Cup final against neighbors Manchester City. This title allowed coach Erik ten Hag, whose work is nevertheless extremely criticized and criticizable, to keep his position to the great dismay of the fans. This season, the results have once again been disappointing so far. After undeservedly losing the Community Shield to City 1-1, defeat following penalties, the Mancunian team missed its start to the championship. Bruno Fernandes' teammates started with a narrow victory against Fulham 1-0 before losing to Brighton 2-1 and being punished at home by Liverpool just before the international break 0-3.

Southampton remain without goalkeeper Bazunu and striker Stewart, who have not sufficiently recovered from their physical problems. Furthermore, the Sulemana midfielder is announced as uncertain. Arriving in the final hours of the transfer window, goalkeeper Ramsdale played his first match in his new colors on the final day. The Saints have only scored one goal since the championship kicked off and it came from summer signing Sugarawa. It is important to note that attackers Che Adams (Torino) and Mara (Strasbourg) left this summer. This is also the case for defenders Caleta-Car (Lyon), Lyanco (Atlético-MG) and Perraud (Betis Sevilla), midfielder Charles (Sheffield Wednesday) and attacking midfielder Carlos Alcaraz (Flamengo). The Saints, on the other hand, were very active in terms of arrivals. We can highlight the recruitments of goalkeeper Ramsdale (Arsenal), defenders Harwood-Bellis (Man City), Sugarawa (AZ Alkmaar), Edwards (Peterborough), Wood (Swansea) and Taylor (Burnley), midfielders Downes (West Ham) , Mateus Fernandes (Sporting), Ugochukwu (Chelsea) and Lallana (Brighton) and attackers Brereton Diaz (Villarreal), Fraser (Newcastle), Cornet (West Ham) and Archer (Aston Villa). Manchester United deplores several more withdrawals this week -end.

Taking their place in the infirmary are rookie Yoro, potential starters Mount, Lindelof, Shaw and Hojlund and long-time absent fullback Malacia. Scorer on the first day, Dutch striker Zirkzee was, however, less happy against Brighton and Liverpool. Executives Rashford and Bruno Fernandes must raise their level of play as does midfielder Casemiro. Manchester United parted ways with numerous players this summer. We can cite the defenders Varane (Como) and Wan-Bissaka (West Ham), the midfielder McTominay (Napoli), the controversial Greenwood (OM), the disappointing Sancho (Chelsea), Martial (without a club) and van de Beek (Girona ) as well as the young or less important Kambwala (Villarreal), Hannibal (Burnley), Carreras (Benfica), Pellistri (Panathinaikos), Forson (Monza) and Williams (without a club). In addition, midfielder Amrabat (Fiorentina) was not retained after his loan. On the other hand, Man U has strengthened with defenders Yoro (Lille), de Ligt (Bayern Munich) and Mazraoui (Bayern Munich), midfielder Ugarte (PSG) and striker Zirkzee (Bologna).