A general view of Old Trafford
(Liverpool F.C. via Getty Images)
Manchester United host Southampton in the lunchtime kick-off in the Premier League in a crucial match in the race to land a top four finish. Ralf Rangnick’s side dropped two points midweek to struggling Burnley and will hope their promising home form continues against Saints, having won four of their last five league games at Old Trafford.
While a 3-2 win at Tottenham means the visitors are bullish entering the game, especially with Chelsea youngster Armando Broja in fine form on loan Saints, scoring four goals in his last eight league starts and eight in all competitions this season.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s form is one to watch, with Rangnick admitting that he “must score more goals”, after just one non-penalty goal since the German joined the club in December: “It’s not only about Cristiano Ronaldo. It’s obvious, we are creating chances and opportunities but just didn’t score enough goals. It’s not just an issue with Cristiano, it’s an issue with other players. We don’t score enough goals. If you bear in mind how many chances we create, it needs to get better in coming weeks. In the first half against Burnley, it was very, very close to the game plan we spoke before the game and now it’s about rewarding ourselves with the results we deserve.”
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Manchester United v Southampton team news
Fred, Eric Bailly, and Nemanja Matic are all absent for Manchester United. Bailly and Matic have injuries and Fred tested positive for Covid-19.
For Southampton Nathan Redmond is out with an ankle injury but Tino Livramento could return to the team after being rested during the week.
Michael Jones12 February 2022 11:16
Manchester United v Southampton
Manchester United host Southampton in the lunchtime kick-off in the Premier League in a crucial match in the race to land a top four finish. Ralf Rangnick’s side dropped two points midweek to struggling Burnley and will hope their promising home form continues against Saints, having won four of their last five league games at Old Trafford.
While a 3-2 win at Tottenham means the visitors are bullish entering the game, especially with Chelsea youngster Armando Broja in fine form on loan Saints, scoring four goals in his last eight league starts and eight in all competitions this season.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s form is one to watch, with Rangnick admitting that he “must score more goals”, after just one non-penalty goal since the German joined the club in December: “It’s not only about Cristiano Ronaldo. It’s obvious, we are creating chances and opportunities but just didn’t score enough goals. It’s not just an issue with Cristiano, it’s an issue with other players. We don’t score enough goals. If you bear in mind how many chances we create, it needs to get better in coming weeks. In the first half against Burnley, it was very, very close.”
Lawrence Ostlere12 February 2022 11:09
www.independent.co.uk

George Holan is chief editor at Plainsmen Post and has articles published in many notable publications in the last decade.