Manchester United confirm Rúben Amorim XI vs Southampton as Joshua Zirkzee benched

Rúben Amoirm is not starting Joshua Zirkzee as Manchester United welcome Southampton to Old Trafford in a Premier League encounter.

Manchester United have kicked off 2025 with renewed hope after a difficult end to 2024, which saw them suffer four consecutive losses across all competitions.

Under Rúben Amorim, the team delivered a determined 2-2 draw against Premier League leaders Liverpool at Anfield, followed by a dramatic FA Cup victory over Arsenal, with Altay Bayındır’s penalty shootout heroics securing the win.

Currently sitting 13th in the league, United are set to host bottom-placed Southampton on Thursday evening at Old Trafford. The match marks the beginning of a crucial three-game home stretch, offering a key opportunity to build momentum and gain ground in the standings.

With two weeks of intensive training behind them, fans are hopeful that the team will start to find consistency and develop a stronger identity in the coming weeks.

The XIs have been confirmed below, with Amorim starting Ramsus Højlund over Joshua Zirkzee as part of the attacking line, much to the surprise of many.

Manchester United’s line-up

Starting XI: Onana, Yoro, De Ligt, Martínez, Amad, Mainoo, Ugarte, Mazraoui, Garnacho, Fernandes, Højlund.

Subs: Bayındır, Maguire, Malacia, Kukonki, Eriksen, Casemiro, Antony, Collyer, Zirkzee.

Southampton’s line-up

Starting XI: Ramsdale, Sugawara, Bree, Bednarek, Harwood-Bellis, Walker-Peters, Ugochukwu, Fernandes, Aribo, Dibling, Kamaldeen.

Subs: McCarthy, Manning, Wood, Smallbone, Downes, Lallana, Armstrong, Archer, Onuachu.

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