Match preview: United v Southampton

This relentless 2020/21 campaign continues with another midweek game for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Reds and United will look to get back to winning ways, after a defeat and a draw against Sheffield United and Arsenal respectively.

In the reverse fixture in November, the Reds claimed three points after a dramatic comeback, as goals from Bruno Fernandes and Edinson Cavani (2) clinched a famous 3-2 win.

Before what is set to be a highly interesting encounter at the Theatre of Dreams, here is all you need to know…

HOW CAN I FOLLOW THE GAME?

The match at Old Trafford kicks off at 20:15 GMT on Tuesday night and will be broadcast live in the UK on BT Sport. You can follow all the action on ManUtd.com and in our Official App, where you can also track in-game data via our Match Centre. MUTV will also provide build-up, live radio commentary and post-match reaction, as well as showing full reruns of the game the following day. The Match Day Live programme on MUTV starts at 19:10 GMT.

TEAM NEWS

Victor Lindelof was back in action as we faced Arsenal in North London on Saturday and will hope to maintain his place in the starting line-up on Tuesday. Eric Bailly was also on the bench in the capital, having missed out against Sheffield United. Against the Gunners, Scott McTominay had to come off with stomach cramp and it’s uncertain if that will make him unavailable for the meeting with the Saints. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will provide the latest team news during his pre-match press conference.

There were rumours that Brandon Williams might go on loan during the January transfer window but Ole has confirmed that the Academy graduate will stay at the club. Phil Jones is recovering from long-term injury and will miss Tuesday’s game.

As for the visitors, midfielders Ibrahima Diallo and Oriol Romeu and forward Theo Walcott are doubts for the encounter with United as they were all subbed off with injuries in their 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday. Defenders Jannik Vestergaard and Mohamed Salisu, midfielder Will Smallbone and attacker Michael Obafemi are all unavailable.

FORM GUIDE

United will look to bounce back after a disappointing week in the league. After the shock defeat to Sheffield United, the Reds created the majority of the chances against Arsenal but could not find the net at the Emirates. The 0-0 stalemate did, however, secure a new club record of 18 consecutive league matches unbeaten on the road. Ole’s side will look to get back to winning ways against the Saints and have every reason to believe that is possible. Before the defeat to the Blades, United had gone 13 matches unbeaten in the Premier League, winning 10 of those fixtures.

For Southampton, January has not been the best month. The year started well with a 1-0 victory over Liverpool on January 4 but since then the Saints have lost all their league fixtures as Leicester, Arsenal and lastly Aston Villa have all come out on top against Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

United have a strong record against Southampton. The sides have met on 128 occasions across all competitions since 1897, with United winning 66. Tuesday’s visitors have won the 27, with the remaining 35 games being drawn.

Since the Saints returned to the Premier League in the 2012/13 campaign, we have played 18 times, winning nine, drawing seven and losing two. We have not lost against the red and white stripes since 2016, however both of those defeats have been at Old Trafford, during Louis van Gaal's managerial tenure.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Danny Ings is the Saints' main danger man. The 28-year-old striker has found the back of the net seven times in the Premier League this campaign, including the winner against his former side Liverpool at the start of 2021. James Ward-Prowse is also a man to look out for. The midfielder showed his set-piece quality in November scoring a free kick past David De Gea down south. The Saints' no. 8 has provided nine direct goal involvements this Premier League campaign, with four goals and five assists.

WHO ELSE IS PLAYING?

TUESDAY 2 FEBRUARY

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Arsenal (18:00 GMT)
Sheffield United v West Bromwich Albion (18:00 GMT)
UNITED v Southampton (20:15 GMT)
Newcastle United v Crystal Palace (20:15 GMT)

WEDNESDAY 3 FEBRUARY

Burnley v Manchester City (18:00 GMT)
Fulham v Leicester City (18:00 GMT)
Leeds United v Everton (19:30 GMT)
Aston Villa v West Ham United (20:15 GMT)
Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion (20:15 GMT)

THURSDAY 4 FEBRUARY

Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea (20:00 GMT)

Get your copy of United Review, the official matchday programme, ahead of the Southampton game, now.