Manchester United predicted XI: Joshua Zirkzee starts as five changes made vs Southampton

Rúben Amorim is predicted to make five changes as Manchester United line-up to face Southampton in a return to Premier League action on Thursday evening.

Manchester United have started 2025 on a positive note, determined to turn the tide after ending 2024 with four straight losses across all competitions.

Rúben Amorim’s men showed resilience in a hard-fought 2-2 draw with Premier League leaders Liverpool at Anfield and followed it up with a thrilling FA Cup win over Arsenal, secured by Altay Bayındır’s penalty shootout heroics.

Currently 13th in the league, United welcome bottom-of-the-table Southampton to Old Trafford on Thursday evening for their first home fixture of the year. The game kicks off a crucial three-match stretch at home, providing a chance to build confidence and momentum.

With two weeks of dedicated training under their belts, fans are optimistic that the team will begin to show consistency and a clearer identity as they aim to climb the table.

Amorim predicted to make five changes vs Southampton

With the Southampton fixture coming just days after the squad played 120 minutes against Arsenal, the 39-year-old is expected to make a number of changes.

Despite his heroics, Bayındır is likely to be replaced by André Onana in goal, who is set to continue playing every single minute in the Premier League since he signed for the club in July 2023.

In defence, Harry Maguire was fantastic at the Emirates Stadium, but it came out soon after playing 104 minutes that he had been ill two days prior, so Amorim may choose to rest the 31-year-old and play Leny Yoro.

If this is the case, Yoro will slot in on the right-hand side of the back three, with Matthijs de Ligt returning to the centre and Lisandro Martínez on the left due to the absence of another left-footed centre-back in the United squad.

Diogo Dalot, who has been operating as a left wing-back and has started the club’s last even fixtures, is suspended for the game, and Tyrell Malacia may replace him in the position, with Noussair Mazraoui continuing at right wing-back.

In the midfield, it has become clear that Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo are Amorim’s favoured duo. As both were substituted before extra-time on Sunday, it feels as if Amorim had one eye on starting both against Southampton.

Read More: “Huge chance” Manchester United Academy star makes debut soon, Rúben Amorim says he’s “ready”

In attack, despite Alejandro Garnacho’s good performance on the weekend, Amad Diallo is expected to resume his role on the right, while Bruno Fernandes has performed brilliantly on the left.

Finally, Joshua Zirkzee has garnered a lot of praise following his cameo and well-dispatched winning penalty last week against Arsenal. After Rasmus Højlund has failed to score in his last seven games, the Netherlands international is now the favourite to start.

Predicted United line-up vs Southampton

Onana, Yoro, De Ligt, Martínez, Mazraoui, Mainoo, Ugarte, Malacia, Amad, Fernandes, Zirkzee.

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