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New signing Manuel Ugarte does not start for Manchester United today as they face a Southampton side at St Mary’s desperate to get points on the board.
Manager Erik ten Hag is under pressure following back-to-back defeats against Brighton and Liverpool, and he has placed his faith in surprising quarters for this game.
Andre Onana will be in goal.
In defence, Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez and Diogo Dalot continue despite shipping three goals past Liverpool last time around.
Kobbie Mainoo is joined in midfield, surprisingly, by Christian Eriksen, who many thought was out of favour with Ten Hag. This means Casemiro is dropped but, presumably, Ugarte is not deemed ready to start.
Up front, Marcus Rashford starts again on the left wing despite calls for him to be dropped due to bad form. Amad Diallo is recalled on the right wing with Josh Zirkzee up front.
Bruno Fernandes plays in the number 10 role.
Keeping Rashford, including Eriksen and omitting Ugarte and Garnacho are all controversial decisions. With no out-and-out defensive midfielder, it is an attacking side, although Mainoo will no doubt be asked to sit in front of the back four.
On the bench are goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, Harry Maguire, Jonny Evans, Casemiro, Ugarte, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Ethan Wheatley. This means Toby Collyer misses out completely.
Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Victor Lindelof, Leny Yoro, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund are all still injured.
Kick-off at St Mary’s is at 12.30pm UK time.
🚨 Presenting your United squad for today’s lunchtime kick-off! 🍽️⚽️#MUFC || #SOUMUN
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 14, 2024
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