Man Utd's predicted XI vs Southampton as Ruben Amorim sticks to his guns with two calls
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Marcus Rashford's omission from the Manchester United XI is set to continue against Southampton as noise surrounding his future rumbles on. Rashford hasn't featured under Ruben Amorim for well over a month and he remains out of the first-team picture. A January exit has been talked up, likely on loan, with the Red Devils looking to build on their FA Cup success at Arsenal on Sunday.
Amorim has seen his team produce two impressive away day performances, first at Liverpool and then at the Gunners. Now they must back it up when the pressure is on against a Southampton side who've only won once all season and recently changed their manager.
Back in February 2021, this fixture ended 9-0 and United are likely to begin with a front three of Rasmus Hojlund, Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo. The latter is expected to return to the starting XI, having begun Sunday's match on the bench. Fernandes, a goalscorer at the Emirates, challenged his side to maintain their level when they play the Saints after appearing to turn a corner this year. Sunday's hero Altay Bayindir returns to the bench with Andre Onana, the team's usual No 1, coming back in.
Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez continue to be the defensive unit with Tyrell Malacia, who came on as a sub four days ago, tipped to start from the beginning as a wing-back. Alejandro Garnacho is another man who Amorim is tipped to overlook. He was dropped alongside Rashford a number of weeks ago and, although he's since returned, the Argentine is yet to make himself a firm part of the furniture under the new manager amid talk of a move to Napoli.
