Evidently, the FA CUP was needed to lift the spirits of Manchester United and Southampton, who, in the historic English competition, have recently found one of the rare joys of this period and of the entire season. Respectively in thirteenth and twentieth (therefore last) place in the championship, the Red Devils and the Saints for one evening forgot the weekly sorrows of the Premier League, which however returns in a (mid)week round that for Manchester United sounds like yet another forced victory and for Southampton, truly in a desperate situation, like an opportunity not to make a bad impression. Both theoretical objectives for the two teams (a place in Europe for Manchester United, safety for Southampton) are now many points apart, therefore, Thursday's match at Old Trafford cannot be a match with an eye too far to the future, while looking at the recent past the score is quite particular because in the last four trips to red Manchester, Southampton have collected three draws (therefore a very good record) but also a historic defeat, the 9-0 of February 2021 which is still remembered by the fans of both teams.

Manchester United's shape and Key Statistics

Manchester United's last two results in the ninetieth minute are two draws but they are really worth a lot: the 2-2 at Anfield against Liverpool in the league and the 1-1 at the Emirates against Arsenal in the FA CUP. The first meant an honorable performance against the league leaders, the second, followed by the victorious penalty kicks, the passage to the next round.

Certainly, however, the Red Devils' season total and, mainly, the Premier League is always very disappointing. Manchester United is thirteenth after 6 wins, 5 draws and 9 defeats. The average of goals scored per game is 1.15 while the average of goals conceded is 1.4. Between the two data, the most penalizing is the one relating to goals scored: only 4 teams in the Premier League have scored fewer than the Red Devils so far.

Southampton's shape and key statistics

With the 3-0 FA CUP win against Swansea, Southampton returned to winning ways this season. Their last win was on November 2nd in the Premier League against Everton, which remains the only one in the league. The Saints' Premier League record is 1 win, 3 draws and 16 defeats. Juric's arrival on the bench has not changed the dynamics of a team for which safety remains a mirage for now.

Southampton have the least prolific attack in the league as well as the most beaten defense, but away from St Mary's the numbers are a bit more lenient, especially for goals conceded: Southampton have never conceded a goal fest away from home and there are 4 teams in the Premier League that have conceded more goals away from home than the Saints.

Match Prediction and Tactical Overview

If Manchester United, galvanized by the draw at Anfield and the passage of the FA CUP round against Arsenal, were not to beat bottom-placed Southampton at home, then we would truly witness something surprising, not because of the Red Devils' position in the standings, obviously, but because of the name of the team combined with this favorable double of results. Therefore, the BetMines prediction is for Manchester United to win at home.

• The BetMines algorithm prediction for the Manchester United - Southampton match predicts the 1 sign at 64%
• The BetMines algorithm prediction for the Manchester United - Southampton match predicts the X sign at 19%
• The BetMines algorithm prediction for the Manchester United - Southampton match predicts the 2 sign at 17%

Manchester United - Southampton Predicted Lineups

Manchester United (3-4-1-2): Onana; Yoro, De Ligt, Martinez; Diallo, Mainoo, Ugarte, Malacia; Bruno Fernandes; Zirkzee, Garnacho. Coach: Amorim.

Southampton (3-5-2): Ramsdale; Bednarek, Harwood – Bellis, Wood; Walker – Peters, Fernandes, Aribo, Ugochukwu, Manning; Dibling, Armstrong. All: Juric.