[DON’T PANIC ™]

Could also be Garnacho with Amad at RWB

Yeah it’s possible and what everyone thinks should happen, that’s why I’m positive Malacia will get the nod.

 

[HookedOnAPhelan]

The game is in three days and we just played 130 minutes, almost 70 minutes with 10 men?

It's in 4 days, more than enough time to recover. No excuses.

 

[Dannn411]

The most important game in the last two weeks. Absolute MUST win. Zero excuses. I'd actually say each of our next 5 PL games are must wins.

 

[red_de_pologne]

It's in 4 days, more than enough time to recover. No excuses.

Even Bruno phrased it in three days in post match interview. Less than ideal for guys like Ugarte Martinez Bruno Mazraoui de Ligt. But of course we should win.

 

[thisisnottaken1]

I’m feeling pretty damn confident about this, a lot more confident than I was feeling 8 days ago. I think that we’ll thrash them 4-0.

 

[bosnian_red]

Yeah it’s possible and what everyone thinks should happen, that’s why I’m positive Malacia will get the nod.

Amad on the right with Garnacho as a 10 and Malacia at LWB is very reasonable. Ugarte I think will play while Eriksen might go ahead of Mainoo for this one before we go full strength for Brighton on Sunday.

 

[Shane88]

The worst team in PL history (so far) at home. Dropping points here is simply unacceptable.

 

[Cantonagotmehere]

Going to this one. Haven't won the last 4 games I've attended, so hopefully picked a safe one to break the curse

Enjoy! I hope it's a cracker.

 

[Banana Republic]

If Dalot is suspended, then the timing is right for Malacia to come in at LB/LWB.
When he came on today, he restricted and quietened down Sterling, who had been buzzing up to that point.
His previous appearances were on the back of a very long injury lay off and no match practice.
We can see what he's made of in this new formation.

I don't know if Maguire had a knock, when he came off (he was struggling), but he also looked totally sh@gged after that monumental, gut busting performance.
He may be out, or just rested on Thursday.
Maybe young Leny will get the nod for this game.

I'd stick with Ugarte, Mainoo and Bruno in MF.


.

 

[SparkedIntoLife]

Given that Amorim said many will need to rest and that we have a tough game against Brighton 3 days later, I'd go -

Bayindir (he's earnt it); Yoro, de Ligt, Martinez; Antony, Collyer, Casemiro, Malacia; Garnacho, Eriksen; Zirkzee

Maybe a bit extreme and it may be coinciding with Southampton starting to find their way so I'm probably being silly.

 

[DRJosh]

Bring Rashford on in the 92nd min for a proper send-off.

 

[Sassy Colin]

We might actually be able to win this one

 

[BorisManUtd]

It's weaker opponent so it'll be at least one winger in wingback place, probably Amad as he didn't start today.

Onana
Yoro ----- Maguire ------Martinez
Amad ----Ugarte ---- Mainoo-------Malacia
Bruno ----- Garnacho
Zirkzee

Only 3 players in that team that played the 120 minutes today.

Big game. This is the acid test when it comes to our mentality.

Could be this. Maybe even Casemiro to start if Amorim thinks it's enough for the opponent?

Shame about Shaw always being unavailable as he'd be good choice at LCB for this game. Maybe Evans is to get minutes if he's fit.

 

[DJ_21]

Let’s go for an attacking approach, play Antony RWB with Amad in AM, those 2 link up well. No need to play 2 defenders in the Wing back roles for this one.

 

[JJ12]

Onana

Yoro
Maguire
Licha

Antony
Ugarte
Casemiro
Maz

Amad
Bruno

Zirkzee

 

[DJ_21]

I’m feeling pretty damn confident about this, a lot more confident than I was feeling 8 days ago. I think that we’ll thrash them 4-0.

I’ll take any win right now. Not sure we have 4 goals in us. Especially if they sit deep. If they try and play against us we could score a few.

 

[LukeChadwick36]

Id be happy to see Bayinder keep his place

Malacia did well and will be good to see him start v S’ton and get more mins under him.

And Zirzkee up top for Hojlund.

Also - Collyer first man off the bench again, he looked fearless today.

 

[thisisnottaken1]

I’ll take any win right now. Not sure we have 4 goals in us. Especially if they sit deep. If they try and play against us we could score a few.

Good point. I was basing my prediction off of our current pretty decent performances.

 

[The Firestarter]

We haven't won in six games or something We absolutely need to win this whatever the means.

 

[Marcelinho87]

Be interesting to see how we deal against a team who sits back and expects us to break through… need our creative heads on.

 

[Betson]

Bit a feel good factor coming back into things after the last few games would be a big shame to halt that with an inept display here.

Bruno made the point after today's match again as he did after the Liverpool match that we need to show up every game and not just against the big teams when it is easier to get fired up.

 

[Galactic]

If we don’t win this, we’ll be labelled game raisers against big teams only. And rightly so.

 

[sepulturite]

Even Bruno phrased it in three days in post match interview. Less than ideal for guys like Ugarte Martinez Bruno Mazraoui de Ligt. But of course we should win.

Well it doesn't really matter how Bruno phrased it, it is in 4 days time, not 3. That's a fact.

 

[Winrar]

Should win it on paper, but can't get too comfortable given the number of false dawns we've had. Our performances in the past 2 matches have to be the standard going forward.

 

[DJ_21]

We haven't won in six games or something We absolutely need to win this whatever the means.

Ye the last 2 results and performances was great but would have been better if we’d won the games before them where we should have

 

[Wrecking ralf]

100% Zirkzee starts this. He actually held the ball up a lot better than Hojlund and also was getting his head to the long balls. With the right runners off him i think he's useful in the certain games like this. Collyer made his claim to start the game also, him and Ugarte could make for a decent pairing. Very solid and would allow the wing backs to be more adventurous. Be a vice game for Antony this too if only to put him in the shop window. Yoro will start along with Malacia I'd think

 

[Ayoba]

Absolute must win, otherwise we're back to square one again!

 

[Red_toad]

Dalot out is a huge boost.

He was very good v Pool, so maybe not.

 

[mitchmouse]

Southampton are possibly the worse PL side of all time. I'd love to go with two up top - Zirkzee and Rasmus - but know it won't happen. Anything less than a three-goal win will be disappointing. Good to see it's on TV

 

[Shane88]

We've seen the level of effort and fight they've shown against Liverpool and Arsenal, both getting results.

Anything less than that against Southampton isn't acceptable now. Don't just be a bunch of game raisers.

 

[Hughes35]

The draw at Anfield means nothing if we don't out in a performance and get a win against Southampton. We need to bring the same leel of effort and intensity as the last 2 games in to EVERY game.

 

[Chumpsbechumps]

I’m excited and worried for the next 10 games that all look winnable if you consider the last 2, but can hard work compensate for how toothless we have looked at times ? And we do tend to struggle breaking down weaker teams that sit deeper then the better teams.

Honestly , we could win next 10 if we are on it, but let’s be fair, there’s gonna be setbacks. But we should be winning the Southampton game.

Amazing how a few games can change the entire look and feel of a season. If United offload Rashers and maybe another , might Ruben even get an extra body ?

 

[Chicharo]

I hope the good results against Liverpool and Arsenal will act as catalysts for starting a winning streak, and this match is the perfect opportunity for that. The players have shown they can play much better than in the first couple of months of the season, the progress is evident, and I expect them to showcase it on the pitch during the next weeks.

 

[theyneverlearn]

For those wondering, Dalot will be suspended for this game.

Yellow cards do not count towards other domestic competitions, red cards do.

He will serve 1 game suspension in the PL, as did Amad when he was sent off for his winner vs Liverpool in the FA cup last year.

 

[Himannv]

Exactly the kind of game where we don't put in 110% and lose.

 

[Mike Smalling]

Gonna be interesting to see if the improvements in play and intensity translate to a home game vs. Southampton. Just a completely different type of challenge. I'd love to see them come out and dominate the first 30 minutes, getting a goal or two in the process.

No doubt in my mind, that we will need to bring in more creative players on at least one of wing-backs. Probably Amad on the right. Something like this:

Onana
De Ligt - Maguire - Martinez
Diallo - Mainoo - Ugarte - Malacia
Bruno - Garnacho
Zirkzee​

 

[Nickosaur]

Ugarte- Mainoo is definitely the best pivot currently but slightly concerned about their fitness with Brighton on Sunday to consider.

 

[tomaldinho1]

Ugarte- Mainoo is definitely the best pivot currently but slightly concerned about their fitness with Brighton on Sunday to consider.

We just need to win, best players should play and then we deal with Brighton when they come. If the team plays to their potential, we should be able to sub them during the game - this Soton team is atrocious.

 

[Havak]

As long as the players show the same fight and energy that they did against Liverpool & Arsenal, we will win. There shouldn't be any excuses anyway, as this is our easiest fixture on paper for the remainder of the season I'd argue. It's just a must-win game, there's not much else to say in that regard. It's down to the players to prove to us that they're capable.

I wouldn't mind a few changes, but I do also want to see this continuity. I'd probably expect Amorim to just bring Amad in for Dalot and play Mazraoui from the left. But I've been dying to see Antony from the LWB position, although if reports are true there's interest in him from a couple of clubs which may keep him relegated to the bench. Not that I think Antony is ever going to be any good, but I'm very much of the opinion that if he has a place in this squad it is LWB. He will at least put the yards in and who knows, maybe he could beat a man down the outside and cross a ball once in a while.

Onana
De Ligt Maguire Martinez
Amad Mainoo Ugarte Mazraoui
Bruno Garnacho
Hojlund​

I think we're better off starting with close to the same XI as much as we can now and hopefully start to put a few games to bed by early in the second half. That's when we can get the likes of Yoro, Malacia, Casemiro, Eriksen, Collyer, Antony, and Zirkzee some minutes. At the moment, I think everyone in the first XI is doing enough to keep their place and we probably lose a bit too much by replacing them. Hopefully this was the plan all along from Amorim and the players have been rotated heavily through December so now these main 14-15 (along with Mount & potentially Shaw upon return) or so players will continue to be the ones used (barring any January moves).

First home game of 2025 and I'll be there, hopefully this year is better. Definitely feel more optimistic at the moment that we can perform significantly better in the second half of the season. Low expectations for a Manchester United squad, especially in my lifetime, but we can surely climb into the top half and have a big say in winning the Europa League.

 

[Red Royal]

Even TenHag beat this lot 3-0 so at home we should really coast this (which means it will be a nervy game till the very end).