Manchester United have already long conceded the race for a top four finish, and have gone all in with winning Europa League as the route back into UEFA Champions League. Thus, their trip to St. Mary’s, to take on Southampton, will be kind of a glorified friendly. Or at least an indifferent edition of the series, as the Saints also having nothing to play for. They are firmly entrenched as a mid-table side this year.
Man United Starting XI Prediction
Attack: Wayne Rooney
Attacking Midfield: Anthony Martial, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Jesse Lingard
Midfield: Michael Carrick, Ander Herrera
Defense: Matteo Darmian, Daley Blind, Eric Bailly, Axel Tuanzebe
Goalkeeper: Sergio Romero
Match odds via Sky Bet:
Southampton 8/5 Draw 12/5 Man United 17/10
Prediction: Southampton 0, Manchester United 0.
The Red Devils have put all their eggs in the Europa League basket, and thus will fielded a weaker team for this one. They have nothing to play for here, and you saw at White Hart Lane on Sunday what United looks like when they aren’t fully engaged. It isn’t pretty, and this one won’t be either.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes to WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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