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Southampton vs Manchester United preview: Can The Red Devils get back to winning ways?

Just when it seemed like it would be a smooth campaign for Manchester United after the opening day thrashing of Chelsea, the corresponding home defeat to Crystal Palace puts things into perspective again. This bet365 bonus code is still a good option for United fans to bet on their team finishing in the top four, but this team still has many things to learn together. Still, there are promising signs coming up from all the disappointments.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s knack of encouraging youngsters and integrating youth academy stars into the senior team echoes the United way of doing things. The new signings are also shining, with Daniel James already having netted two goals in the three Premier League outings. However, all the development is null and void unless Southampton are defeated.

After dropping five points in two games, the Red Devils desperately need a win. Southampton’s no walk in the park either, having conjured up a strong attacking force to trouble oppositions this season. To Ole’s dismay, Luke Shaw is set for a relatively lengthy period out with an injury and even Anthony Martial’s a doubt for the early Saturday kick-off.

He’ll need Paul Pogba to find his swagger in majestically creating goals again, and for his young forwards to capitalize on the opportunities to pile up pressure against Southampton. United have much room for improvement in the attacking stance and must be more lethal in the final third to break open Southampton.

Southampton Predicted XI:

Gunn, Valery, Bednarek, Vestergaard, Danso, Romeu, Hojbjerg, Redmond, Ward-Prowse, Adams, Ings.

Manchester United Predicted XI:

De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Young, McTominay, Pogba, Pereira, Mata, Rashford, James.

Key Clashes

Daniel James vs Yan Valery

After his influential showing after drifting into the left-wing position against Palace, James should be inserted into his natural role on Saturday afternoon. He’s already looking a great investment for the Red Devils, being packed with pace and the urgency to win the get the ball into the final third. He’ll look to continue his impressive early-season form, but Yan Valery won’t make things easy. Who can forget his stunning strike at Old Trafford back in March? Not only is he menacing going forward but very sound defensively, which will force James to tap into his special attributes to outwit him.

 Nathan Redmond vs Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s been a delight to watch in Manchester United colours so far, putting in some commanding defensive shifts to prove himself a level over Ashley Young. With some of the best defensive stats in the league, he’s already proving an expert long-term buy from the club. However, against the electric Nathan Redmond, things will get difficult. The Southampton star is their main orchestrator in attack and wiggles into promising areas with his dribbling ability, which could force the Spider to be at his very best.

Prediction: Southampton 1-2 Manchester United.

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