Man United vs Southampton news: Ronaldo set to start, but Saints capable of Old Trafford revenge

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo warming up before the Premier League match at Turf Moor, Burnley. Picture date: Tuesday February 8, 2022.

Southampton’s last visit to Old Trafford ended in a 9-0 drubbing. However, a lot has changed since then and Saints will be looking to dish out a shock of their own.

Since returning from the international break, Manchester United's season has hit serious turbulence as they bowed out of the FA Cup against Middlesbrough and endured a 1-1 draw against bottom-of-the-table Burnley.

The pressure is mounting on interim manager Ralf Rangnick as the Red Devils continue to drift away from the top four.

Southampton, in contrast, will arrive at Old Trafford on the back of a thrilling 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur.

The victory has moved Saints into the top half of the table with the team losing just one of their last seven Premier League games.

Ralph Hasenhuttl will have painful memories of Old Trafford having suffered a 9-0 defeat almost exactly one year ago.

However, with the Red Devils well below their best, this could be a big opportunity for his men to pick up only their third away win over Man United since 1992.

When: Saturday, February 12, 12:30 GMT

Where: Old Trafford

Where to watch: BT Sport

Follow this game via our score centre

Who is the ref for Man United vs Southampton?

Stuart Attwell will be the man in the middle at Old Trafford. The 39-year-old's appointment could be seen as a good omen for both sides considering he officiated United's 3-0 win over Tottenham, as well as Southampton's recent 4-1 thrashing of Brentford.

Season stats 2021/22: Premier League matches (12), yellows (39), reds (1), penalties (4)

Recent form

Manchester United appeared to be building momentum ahead of the international break having won back-to-back games against Brentford and West Ham.

However, instead of coming back from the break with a bang, the Red Devils returned with a whimper and endured two embarrassing results.

First it was Middlesbrough who eliminated United from the FA Cup on penalties. Days later, Burnley earned a late draw at Turf Moor after bagging a late equaliser against Rangnick's men.

Southampton, in contrast, have exceeded expectations. Hasenhuttl's men have lost just one of their last nine games across all competitions, despite taking on some of the league's big hitters.

In recent weeks, Saints have been able to take points from the likes of Tottenham, West Ham and even Premier League leaders Manchester City.

With that in mind, Man United could be in for a long afternoon.

Man United vs Southampton players in form

One of the reasons behind Southampton's recent successes is the form of James Ward-Prowse.

Across his last eight games, the 27-year-old has been unstoppable having scored four goals, produced four assists and won three man-of-the-match awards.

Throughout his career, the midfielder has come up against United on 16 occasions, enjoying just two victories, two goals and three assists.

However, with United in poor form, Ward-Prowse will see this as an opportunity to enhance his Red Devils record.

Speaking of United, one man worth keeping an eye on is Paul Pogba.

The Frenchman stamped his name on the scoresheet and put in a man-of-the-match performance in United's 1-1 draw at Burnley.

That was just his first league game since October and the 28-year-old already looks like he is firing on all cylinders.

In his eight games against Southampton, Pogba is yet to find the back of the net. However, it's worth pointing out that he is also yet to lose when taking on the Saints.

Last three matches

Southampton 1-1 Man United (Premier League - August 22, 2021)

When the two sides met earlier in the campaign, it was Southampton who were more satisfied with the result after holding United to a 1-1 draw.

Fred's own goal gave the hosts an early lead before a second-half strike from Mason Greenwood levelled the score.

Man United 9-0 Southampton (Premier League - February 2, 2021)

It's been just over one year since Man United handed Hasenhuttl his second 9-0 drubbing of his Premier League career.

Alexandre Jankewitz was sent off inside the opening two minutes for Southampton who went on to concede four first-half goals.

The visitors looked for a way back after the interval, but the closest they came was a disallowed goal from Che Adams in the 53rd minute.

With 20 minutes remaining, Saints went down to nine men thanks to Jan Bednarek's dismissal and United bagged five more efforts.

Southampton 2-3 Man United (Premier League - November 29, 2020)

There was more frustration for Southampton when they took on United in November 2020.

Goals from Bednarek and Ward-Prowse gave the hosts a 2-0 first-half lead, but unfortunately for the home fans, that was not to last.

Instead, a Bruno Fernandes goal and an Edinson Cavani brace allowed United to complete a memorable comeback at St Mary's.

Past ten matches

Man United wins: 4

Draws: 6

Southampton wins: 0

Man United goals: 22

Southampton goals: 10

Managers' thoughts

Man United manager Ralf Rangnick: "We are fully aware this will be a difficult one. Obviously, I watched the game at Spurs during the week and they really deserved to win. They tactically played at a very high level and this will be a challenge for us, but I'm sure we'll be up for that challenge."

Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl: "We are in good shape with a good mindset. You can definitely see this season after a tough start we are getting better and better. After losing a few players in the summer we needed time to adapt to a new hierarchy in the team and also new behaviours and new ways of playing football."

Predicted Man United vs Southampton teams

Man United will be without Eric Bailly who has returned from the Africa Cup of Nations with a swollen ankle. Nemanja Matic will also miss out due to a shin injury while Alex Telles and Fred continue to recover from Covid-19.

Cristiano Ronaldo came off the bench in the 1-1 draw with Burnley and the 37-year-old is expected to start this weekend.

With regards to Saints, Alex McCarthy is expected to remain on the sidelines as he continues his recovery from injury.

Nathan Redmond and Nathan Tella are also set to miss out due to ankle and groin problems, respectively.

Possible Manchester United starting line-up: De Gea, Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Shaw, Pogba, McTominay, Sancho, Fernandes, Elanga, Ronaldo

Possible Southampton starting line-up: Forster, Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Salisu, Perraud, S. Armstrong, Ward-Prowse, Romeu, Elyounoussi, Adams, Broja

Man United vs Southampton prediction

Southampton's record against Manchester United might not look very impressive, but their recent performances suggest their fortunes against the Red Devils could be about to change.

Hasenhuttl has unfinished business with United following his 9-0 defeat and the Austrian will be desperate for revenge.

United, on the other hand, look off the pace and could be punished by an in-form Saints side. A one-goal win for the visitors looks the way to go in this one.