90min

Southampton predicted lineup vs Man Utd - Premier League

By Jamie Spencer

Southampton will be looking to £15m Adam Armstrong for inspiration
Southampton will be looking to £15m Adam Armstrong for inspiration / Chris Brunskill/Getty Images
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Southampton are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 3-1 defeat in their opening Premier League game of the season last weekend, but know they will be up against it because an in-form Manchester United are making the trip to the south coast.

Ralph Hasenhuttl and his team will need to find a way to shut down the attacking threats in a vastly improved United and take any chances that come their way.

Here’s a look at the Saints XI the manager could pick…

1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Kyle Walker-Peters
Kyle Walker-Peters' experience could be favoured over Tino Livramento / Robin Jones/Getty Images

Alex McCarthy (GK): Regained his place for the beginning of this season after being bench for a number of games in the closing stages of 2020/21.

Kyle Walker-Peters (RB): Could be favoured over the more attack-minded Tino Livramento, who made his Saints debut against Everton last week.

Jack Stephens (CB): Either of Southampton’s centre-backs could be under pressure for their place from Jan Bednarek after disappointing performances last time out.

Mohammed Salisu (CB): More than half of his league starts last season were at left-back and he is already benefitting from Jannik Vestergaard’s departure.

Romain Perraud (LB): The Frenchman made his debut last week and is attempting to fill the shoes of Ryan Bertrand following his departure at the start of the summer.

2. Midfielders

Stuart Armstrong
Stuart Armstrong could add more stability to midfield / Robin Jones/Getty Images

Stuart Armstrong (CM): Could replace Theo Walcott, who was poor against his former club last week, to offer more in the way of midfield solidity and protection.

Oriel Romeu (CM): Will likely be tasked with limiting the impact of Bruno Fernandes, who lost his markers time and again in United’s win over Leeds.

James Ward-Prowse (CM): Overcame a pre-season injury to start against Everton last weekend and should be fitter and sharper for having another week of training under his belt.

Moussa Djenepo (AM): Will likely mostly operate from the left but will be tasked with providing some creative links between midfield and attack.

3. Forwards

Adam Armstrong, Ché Adams
Adam Armstrong scored on his Southampton debut last week / Visionhaus/Getty Images

Che Adams (ST): Pressed from the front against Everton, which created his team’s opening goal when he was able to nick the ball off Michael Keane and feed Adam Armstrong.

Adam Armstrong (ST): Despite the disappointing result overall, the £15m signing will have taken confidence from that debut goal last week and will hope more chances come his way.

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