(4-2-3-1) Man United starting XI vs Southampton and latest team news as Rasmus Højlund and Manuel Ugarte decisions made

(4-2-3-1) Man United starting XI vs Southampton and latest team news as Rasmus Højlund and Manuel Ugarte decisions made

Before Manchester United’s match against Southampton on Saturday afternoon, Erik ten Hag is anticipated to make his final decisions about Rasmus Højlund and Manuel Ugarte.

Manchester United has only won one of their first three Premier League games this season, which is a poor start for the team.

Following a close loss to Brighton, they just suffered a 3-0 setback to Liverpool. Erik ten Hag’s team needs to improve in a few areas even if they played well in their victory over Fulham.

The international break has arrived at a crucial time, giving players the chance to regain full fitness.

This is vital as United prepare for a demanding schedule, with two matches per week once the season picks up again. Their challenging run of fixtures will start with a Saturday clash against Southampton.

As always, André Onana will start in goal, having played every single fixture he has available for under Ten Hag since he joined the club in 2023.

In defence, there have been whispers that Luke Shaw may be returning to first-team training after he suffered a calf problem ahead of the opening game of the season. However, even if he is fit, Ten Hag will likely want to ease him in, making Diogo Dalot the apparent choice for left-back.

The centre of defence will see Lisandro Martínez continue, and it is likely that, despite criticism over the international break, new signing Matthijs de Ligt will start his first game away from home for United, with Noussair Mazraoui at right-back.

Manuel Ugarte was announced as United’s latest signing on deadline day, with the No. 25 waving his first hello to Old Trafford ahead of kick-off against Liverpool. Although he did not play, he played 79 and 90 minutes over two games for Uruguay during the international break, showing clear signs that he is fit and ready to play when needed.

However, much like the case with Shaw, Ten Hag will likely want to ease Ugarte into the starting XI, meaning he will likely be named on the bench, and it will be Casemiro who partners Kobbie Mainoo in midfield at St. Mary’s Stadium.

Ahead of Bruno Fernandes, who will start in the attacking midfield role, will likely be Joshua Zirkzee. The new Dutch striker scored for the Netherlands during his first start for his country last week and impressed, and had numurous chances aginst Liverpool the week before, too.

Rasmus Højlund returned to training 10 days ago and reports suggest he has been working hard to regain full fitness after a hamstring injury, but the Southampton game may be too soon for him to start, and may join Manuel Ugarte coming off the bench.

The two wing spots are the other positions where there is debate as to who dtarts. On the left wing, Marcus Rashford has had a two week break after not being selected with England, and Ten Hag continues to put his faith in the 26-year-old, meaning it is unliekly he will be dropped.

As for the right wing, Amad Diallo has been one of United’s best-performing players of late, but against Liverpool, he was dropped for Alejandro Garnacho. Although Amad came on and did well, Ten Hag has more apparent trust in Garnacho, meaning he may keep his spot.

Man United expected XI
Onana, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martínez, Dalot, Casemiro, Mainoo, Fernandes, Garnacho, Zirkzee, Rashford