Southampton vs. Manchester United Predicted Lineup for September 14
Southampton vs. Manchester United Predicted Lineup for September 14
Russell Martin’s Southampton will be the first opponent Manchester United faces on the South Coast at lunch on Saturday to kick off the Premier League weekend following the international break. After winning one and losing two of their first three games of the season, the Red Devils will be trying to recover. This is the expected starting lineup for Manchester United in the 12.30 PM kickoff.
Manchester United’s expected lineup against Southampton in their South Coast matchup
The lineup of Manchester United André Onana has been starting in goal for Manchester United as they have kept to a 4-2-3-1 shape in their early season games.
While Diogo Dalot has been playing left back, Lisandro Martinez has been alternating between Harry Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt, and new acquisition Noussair Mazraoui at right back.
Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo are positioned in midfield, with Bruno Fernandes as the number 10 and two of Amad Diallo, Mason Mount, Alejandro Garnacho, and Marcus Rashford flanking him. In the first two games, Fernandes filled in as a false nine, but Joshua Zirkzee started as a number nine in the 3-0 loss to Liverpool.
Manchester United’s Current Play and Strategy
The Red Devils’ campaign has gotten off to a tough start as two devastating losses—one at Brighton and, worse even, at Old Trafford against fierce rivals Liverpool—have offset a victory on opening day against Fulham. The latter in particular exposed the weaknesses that remain in Erik ten Hag’s team even with five new summer additions and an exceptionally effective squad member purge.
The problem in United’s midfield is obvious: Brazilian Casemiro has been steadily declining since the beginning of the season, and as a result, the team is susceptible to being played through in the middle of the pitch and is particularly prone to rapid transitions. The press has been patchy in the first two games, with Fernandes having to play as a false nine in the absence of Rasmus Hojlund, the striker, making the Red Devils far too easy to play through, especially with Mason Mount now sidelined.
Considerable Manchester United Injuries
Ten Hag provided updates on Luke Shaw’s (calf) and Rasmus Hojlund’s (thigh) fitness; both players are getting closer to full fitness but are still not ready for this weekend. Victor Lindelof (Ankle) and both might be well by the end of the month. Tyrell Malacia (knee) and Mason Mount (thigh) are expected to return in the middle of October, while 18-year-old French center-back Lény Yoro (ankle) is expected to be sidelined until November.
The expected lineup for Manchester United
GK: Onana André
RB: Mazroui Noussair
Matthijs De Ligt, CB
Lisandro Martinez, CB
LB: Manuel Ugarte CM: Diogo Dalot
CM: Kobbie Mainoo
RM: Amad Diallo
Bruno Fernandes, CAM
LM: Marcus Rashford
Joshua Zirkzee, ST
