Zirkzee Earns START! Amorim Demands Big Performance! Man United vs Southampton Preview

[@sebastians320]

Just remembering the start of Ten Hags first season where the team turned a corner and started showing spirit and beat Liverpool and Arsenal after pathetic losses when everyone thought they would lose. The players celebrated tackles and attacks and we all thought ETH was the manager to finally turn the players into fighters. This time it should, fingers crossed, be different.

[@danwelch6680]

Don’t be fooled by these lot. Still need a full overhaul. Easy to get up for big away days but can’t do it week in week out

[@kevinreece6475]

But ETH was hampered by the most chronic injury crises that I have known in 6 decades. That cannot happen again.

[@shurst7779]

​@@kevinreece6475 should have managed the squads games better like amorim is

[@Yardie94]

Yes the only difference is ten hag change is system and Ruben is not going to do that

[@mattk120]

Yep, and then we played 65 games that season causing a catastrophic amount of injuries the next season causing our braindead fanbase to call for his head. TAKE 2 🎬

[@loguk8970]

Going to watch United live for the time in my life vs Rangers. Any pointers to make the most of my few days in Manchester are appreciated.

[@l.o.r.d9962]

Trafford centre is good if you've never been

[@BySixa]

Enjoy mate hopefully we get a win

[@fourghtyeight48]

Yeah, shout plenty of abuse at rangers

[@danieldurchtechnik6804]

​@@fourghtyeight48 Probably not advisable to goad a bunch of intoxicated Glaswegians.

[@jamesl1043]

Nags Head for a pint in town. Big United pub just off Deansgate

[@tylerwood8710]

I want to see Collyer get another run out. Doesn't have to start, but the lad earned a bit of pitch time. And if United go up and are having a good match, maybe we see Amass? Those would be good things I'd get excited for.

[@Jordan-m3c]

Yea Casemiro shouldn’t get a look in now

[@stevecockneyamass]

Totally agree completely 👌 👍 👏

[@stevecockneyamass]

Harry Amass LWB give him a chance and minutes especially against Southampton and were a few goals up

[@Jordan-m3c]

@@stevecockneyamass I agree they say he’s to young but rashford wasn’t to young and Rooney was to young to walk into the team

[@tylerwood8710]

@@Jordan-m3c If you're good enough, you're old enough. End of.

[@Harial64]

Amorim already said there would be rotation this game as the players were tired after the Arsenal game. I'd be surprised to see less than 5 changes.

[@KidMagnifico]

There is no evidence that Zirkzee works in behind as one of the 10s. But there is evidence that it didn't work when he was in the 10 against Newcastle. He deserves to start in the 9, because he has offered a lot more than Rasmus in the last 2 games against tougher opposition

[@StephenHowson]

Everton game…

[@habiladam6363]

Everton game, but he had Rashy as a runner-in-behind. To replace Rashy, either Amad, Garna or Bruno has to be the runner. Re. The NUFC game, I think RA used him because he had Kobbie didn't play well in the game before and we had no alternative (I'm not including Rashy, because it was clear that he was in the squad only for depth); whoever got subbed for Kobbie to come on would've got booed off, it's unfortunate that JZ was the player. Iirc, he wasn't the worst player on the pitch

[@KidMagnifico]

​@@StephenHowsonHe started in the 9 in the Everton game not 10 mate. And his last 2 games where he has been good has also been coming on in the 9

[@StephenHowson]

@ he did. But he played in the 10 because that’s what he does. How he plays. If you paired him with Højlund it’d look the same.

[@trappz_io2620]

@@StephenHowsonhe doesn’t work in the 10 also don’t use Everton which is still only one game against weak opposition. Come on now

[@OpaG]

I believe Maguire played sick against Arsenal so I can see him sitting out or playing half of the match.

[@andrewtomlinson5237]

If he's fully recovered, he probably starts. He's our best defender at the moment. If he's carrying a muscle strain after the Arsenal game, I'd rest him.

[@gustaaf1892]

We've improved our game without the ball against higher quality opposition, but have still been poor with the ball. We have struggled to break down the opposition for many years when we've had to make the play. I hope to see gradual improvement in that aspect, but I'm not taking it for granted. If we don't score in the first half hour, this could become a far more difficult game than many supporters expect.

[@jiggersotoole7823]

We need to start like it's the last ten minutes chasing the game...move the ball fast...and just keep going.

[@ChrisScoi]

Ste had there been an issue with the uploads if player ratings? Or have you moved them?

[@ibrahim6960]

Came here to say this.

[@nyctophilex7]

This.

[@Conceptsplitter]

😂

[@robertprice8940]

I like how Amorin is using the young players in rotation… something every manager since fergie hasn’t done. That’s why they have all burnt out. Ala rashy. They can’t play every game. They are still learning and growing.

[@JakeDriver]

Given how we played against Liverpool & Arsenal, I'm going into this one with confidence. Would love to see the likes of Collyer and Malacia get a run out.

[@stevecockneyamass]

As Dalot is suspended play Harry Amass LWB give him a chance and minutes especially if were a few goals up. Also Colleyer again

[@RedDevilDog1207]

Start Malacia and give Amass a run out

[@danielberry4765]

Assuming that Dalot is banned then Mazraoui at LWB, Amad at RWB and Zirkzee as a right 10.

[@shaneoconnor8597]

Need to give mazaroui a rest surely. Get malacia back to fitness i think

[@ste4392]

Think Antony might get a run out, other Garnacho will start that 10 role I think

[@TPH250290]

@@shaneoconnor8597 Let's get 2-0 ahead before we start giving players rests.

[@franciscomorais7283]

Zirkzee looked awful every time he played in the 10 role. Let's not forget the Newcastle game...

[@shaneoconnor8597]

@@TPH250290 4 games in 10 days. And in theory this is the easiest game. Plus malacia bring the bite that we need to keep

[@pgc99]

Think Yoro deserves a start too

[@andrewtomlinson5237]

The squad has shown resilience and fight and determination to not lose. People are saying "Now they need to do that against the lesser teams..." but that's just hyperbole - Southampton will prove a completely different type of challenge. They won't dominate and attack the way City, Liverpool and Arsenal do. They will set up to try and prevent United from playing, and the energy needed to run back and defend is more taxing than the energy of charging forward to attack on the break. Rather than aggression and puffed out chests, these are the games where we need to start showing absolute control patience and awareness of what your team mates are doing. The MOST important part of how we play will be the speed at which we get back to defend the counter if the press gets broken, because that will not only lower the chances of them scoring but will have the team in better positions to be able to quickly "Counter The Counter" Everyone needs to be aware of their defensive responsibilities, roles and be ready to fully commit to that. If we are playing a mid block, then Bruno needs the patience to hold it and not get lured into pressing a player and creating a gap. That doesn't even mean attacking players need to be making tackles, simply running to create defensive positioning to cut off passing lanes and hampering the player with the ball allowing the defence to get into position. I keep saying this, but if Dan James could do that effectively all day long, there's no excuse for any attacking player in the current squad for an inability to do the same. It only requires a pair of legs and the desire to do it.

[@greglester8991]

Player ratings from Arsenal game Ste?

[@fourghtyeight48]

10s

[@fourghtyeight48]

Apart from dalot he got a 7.4

[@hansegiltaanevig7500]

I hope Masaraoui gets a rest and Garnacho plays at left winger. It is "only" Southampton.

[@BobbyB-zx9px]

Not starting zirkzee as 9 to accomodate højlund is criminal.

[@abdulalimharuna9964]

No, he's slow. Hojlund is fast and exploits spaces

[@KingJaffeJoffer99]

In what way does he 'exploit' spaces? What exactly does he do when in the spaces?

[@ByronVirgil_370z]

@@KingJaffeJoffer99you know exploiting the spaces means he can actually get in behind, zirkzee isn’t winning a foot race which is why he plays the way he does who drops in deeper to pick up the ball

[@BobbyB-zx9px]

​@@abdulalimharuna9964he is a low iq player, no positional awareness, the guy doesn't make that runs, which you except due to his pace. Zirkzee was in the team of the season in the same league rasmus was playing with same g/a. Zirkzee deserves to be the starter over this guy, who can't even kill the ball with his touch.

[@KingJaffeJoffer99]

@ByronVirgil_370z are you dumb? I'm asking you, Wtf does he do when he's running in them spaces all game till he's red in the face. Exploiting means taking advantage of, he tries to, but does F all when there. We could sign 1000 other strikers who can run around

[@IR._]

Think we’ll see Garnacho and Yoro both start. And maybe one of Mainoo or Ugarte get a rest

[@muhammadfajar151]

"Don't worry about that, something's never changed" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@EatYourGroceries]

I think Zirkzee and Fernandes could build a partnership in the 10 spots. Maybe behind Hojlund, maybe even Garnacho?

[@KeztrelsPerch]

I went for this as I want to see Kobs higher up , seeing as he has such gd feet in tight spaces. GK Onana ? Defense: CB Mazroui De Ligt Martinez Midfield: WB Amad Dalot CDM/CM Ugarte Collyer Forwards: CAM Mainoo Bruno ST Hoj

[@dw2261]

I think we are all expecting a decent easy win especially after great solid performances against Liverpool and Arsenal. Cmon lads this has to be a good win.

[@jamiemorgan2972]

There may be a little more rotation due to tiredness, also not sure Hojland and Zirkzee both start. While Diallo is clearly better at RWB I think he plays as a 10 and Antony comes in at RWB. Will Mainoo and Ugarte both be fit enough to play? And Yoro probably starts. I like that Amorim wants the players to be really tired at the end of games and I think there are a couple of positions where rotation is possible but if too many of Utd’s strongest 11 don’t play then I lose confidence in getting results. Malacia is only just back but he needs to show something when he starts instead of just making up the numbers, Antony same. I’d like to know what is going on with Casemiro, has he played his last game? Has Eriksen fallen out of favour as well? With Mount injured this would leave Utd really short of cover in Midfield and the 10 positions.

[@MrLePov]

Call me crazy, but I want Antony at LWB in this game. Geny and Quenda at Sporting are basically wingers, so i am really eager to see something like Antony + Amad on the wings, even for one game.

[@SteveKariuki2]

I see him starting Antony as a wingback and Amad as 10

[@RedDevilDog1207]

Eriksen solid 10 against sitting in

[@Yardie94]

What do you think about Morgan-Gibbs white ste I think he his one of the best players in the league he can play in middle of the park or one of the 10 position in Ruben system

[@Thefestusayomikun]

Hi Ste!!! So I figured on Saturday night that The Cliff was literally behind my mates house back in Salford and to know I use to visit him throughout last year without knowing made me feel sad that night. Just wanna ask if there is a special protocol to watch the academy play, it will be a life long dream to see them the next time I am in Manchester..

[@v1kzu]

We should theoretically never set up Bruno to play on the right side of the attacking 3 from the start of the game. One of the reasons he's been doing so well lately is because he is operating from the left side (since Rashford is no more), where the pitch opens up to him and he can dictate play. On the right he is very limited with his passing options. Of course he has the technique to operate from there, but he plays a lot better on the left, and he plays there for Portugal as well. We should not move him from there. It's the perfect position for him. Play Garnacho on the right, or keep Amad up front and play Mainoo as an inside forward.

[@jarzhinio]

We have to treat Southampton exactly the same way we treated Arsenal, Liverpool and City. Southampton will try and take the game to us but we can't be putting in the kind of performances that we've already seen far too many of in 2024. Sometimes you watch this group of players and it's not intense, it's not difficult to play against, the away side just need to sit and wait for us to make a mistake and when we go behind we're even worse, even more vulnerable. It starts with poor intensity from the kick-off and we never get into the game until we're 2 or 3 down and the shape goes out the window as the pride kicks in. We can't start slow against anyone because we don't have the quality. Also we have to completely eradicate that slow passing around the back 3 plus Onana putting his foot on the ball. That way of playing which Pep brought in to the Premier league is shite and we can't do it. Also, we can't miss open goals and simple finishes. If we do play like we did last match we should win, but we need make it happen not just expect it to.

[@sufyanb]

Righty then....

[@-bobrelph]

Evening all

[@RyanGray-o5s]

I can’t believe you are dropping Garnacho!! Two assists in the last two games.

[@Michaelkaydee]

5:46 Maguire has to rest... played while sick lay time out... I think Malacia will come in and Zirkzee will lead the line benching Højlund...

[@xXx7manni7xXx]

What happened to player ratings?????

[@andyp9203]

Couldnt bring himself to rate Maguire a 10

[@husky2961]

All 10/10 😂

[@IUnited-tk2il]

I think Malacia deserves a start, was good when he came on

[@JohnD-qn6st]

Hopefully we don’t slip back into an over casual / indifferent performance

[@gatobrit]

What happened to player ratings for the Arsenal game?

[@garytomkins1114]

Martinez was injured/struggling v Arsenal. At the end he was playing up front as we had used all our subs. Can't see him starting.

[@lewisellis3546]

We can't drop Rasmus. He's played away at City, Liverpool and Arsenal, where we got three good results. He deserves to start a game where he's got a chance of scoring, which will improve his confidence.

[@jbrew7396]

Too much sentiment in this. Hes been bad you can’t just say that he can’t be dropped because we had some good results with him.

[@habiladam6363]

​@@jbrew7396 It's not sentiment. He needs goals for 2 reasons, to increase his goal tally and therefore his confidence, and Southampton are the best team to do it against (as OP said). Tbft, we can play him for 45 and give him a rest as well, so he can be a bit more fresh Vs Brighton.

[@franciscomorais7283]

I fully agree. Rasmus has many faults, but plays with a intensity that Zirkzee just doesn't have. This is a must win game and we can't afford to give opportunities based on sentimentality when our backs are against the wall.

[@lewisellis3546]

@@jbrew7396 yes but he's battled through games he's not expected to score in, he's earned this game at least.

[@tomas-malo]

Agreed

[@philipfarley3409]

Garnacho deserves to keep place in 10 after two assists with zirkzee replacing Hojlund. Rest Maz also and play Malacia

[@yogeshjeebaun6641]

Zirkzee plays better off the bench. Keep it this way!

[@sjewitt22]

I'm not sure Zirkzee can play as one of the 10's I think he's gonna have to try and do a job as the 9 and maybe Garna could play as one of the 10's and run past. But this is the game to see of Zirkzee can play as on of the 10's

[@Conceptsplitter]

Southampton are not ready for this !✊

[@ageofcomics5059]

Where the player ratings for the Arsenal game?

[@liamgooding]

We would be so much better up top if we had zirkzee and hojlund top two and bring Bruno into the cam position 3412 it then gives us a player in between the forwards and midfield not just a massive gap and I think we’d see a better return from our strikers not just leaving hojlund up there on his own all the time

[@ReverZe83]

Sorry lad, i think anorim knows better than you

[@liamgooding]

@ Amorim* shows what you know😂

[@Ahuskycalledmax]

Get garnacho is the mix they can’t handle him

[@alan102g]

need some signings

[@Yardie94]

Ste when will you be on vibe with five again the show is so much more entertaining when you are there and tell rio to go back to original intro song from last year it's a vibe with five you already know what it's

[@andycarroll7186]

Complacency is a massive problem. Ajust thinking, imagine playing a stronger side

[@reefalefunk1244]

Yoro for de ligt. Garnacho for hoijlund

[@reefalefunk1244]

And bayindir for Onana!

[@emmanuelogelle3965]

This lineup is as though we are afraid. If you cant play malacia against soton, when then? Malacia plays at lwb. Amad and bruno at 10 and zirkzee at 9. Garnacho, hojlund and collyer to come in later on.

[@Patrick-li7yl]

I’d go with strongest team and try to get game finished by half time so we can rest few for Brighton Onana Yoro De Ligt Maguire Amad Ugarte Casimero Mazrouri Fernandes Garnacho Zirkzee Rest Martinez Mainoo Hojlund and dalot (suspended) 2-0 United ❤️🤍🖤

[@davidellinsworth3299]

Collyer will start before Casemiro

[@Patrick-li7yl]

Yeah I’m happy enough with Collyer/cas starting with Ugarte

[@habiladam6363]

Maguire in the middle, MDL on the right and Yoro on the left. Maguire would be exposed in the channel, especially with the Japanese player and Soulimana's pace and technical ability. Apart from that, I don't see a wrong thing there. Alternatively, we can rest Maza and play Garna as a LWB and JZ in the 10 and Højlund up top, then at HT, take Højlund off for Malacia (or Maza if we somehow are losing).

[@kbreslin7289]

Probably end up ... Onana; Ugarte, De Ligt, Maguire; Amad, Fernandes, Mainoo, Mazraroui; Zirkzee, Højlund; Martinez.

[@andyp9203]

No player ratings from Arsenal... Funny that as Maguire was a clear 10/10

[@lucasvanwijngaarden670]

Southampton are really bad this season, six points out of a possible sixty is terrible. I don't think we will, but if we lose this it would be an embarrassment.

[@habiladam6363]

A DRAW is embarrassing; we won 3-0 away, so we should win this.

[@lucasvanwijngaarden670]

@habiladam6363 True

[@robertnegron9706]

They need to rotate some players especially the running done last game. Your back three is incorrect .

[@krushjones6596]

Imagine if utd players earned a wage depending on their match ratings. Is that what Amorims done to make them run around? 😂

[@Ghost_R23]

bloody hell youve lost weight keep it up bro

[@patdennehykanturk]

Yoro starts instead of maguir

[@harkarunnazran8663]

No players rating after the Arsenal Fa Cup?

[@robertnegron9706]

The true test is tomorrow when they are expectedtot win.

[@AmeyaKeny]

Onana is an absolute liability. Should be the first one to be shipped out.

[@juliegarychrimes5766]

Player ratings Arsenal game🤷‍♂️

[@jimg6852]

9/1 on that bet is horrid lmao

[@vidu635]

No way this guy thinks assmus should start 🤣🤣🤣 thank god you’re not a coach lol

[@Sammyli99]

drop ONANA for crying out LOUD.

[@harrisonfitzgerald7147]

You’re still starting hojlund after constant 2/10 performances??

[@TPH250290]

Who are you starting instead?

[@harrisonfitzgerald7147]

@ literally anyone 😭 hojlund is shite lad. Stick chido obi in there can’t be any worse

[@oscarmccoy9102]

@@harrisonfitzgerald7147don’t want to play someone that young

[@crysflake]

@@TPH250290 zirkzee???

[@Ivoryenperor9]

Hojlund at least scores

[@franciscomorais7283]

Zirkzee at the 10 is a absolute no go. Looked awful every time there, last time being the Newcastle game, and we saw how that went. Garnacho as the right forward and Bruno on the left, and maybe Zirkzee in middle, but I would still rather have Holjund because he his just more intense and solid defensively. I actually agree that Maz will play on the left because Amorim played him there during the second half vs Arsenal, switching him with Dalot.

[@Boylo2492]

Completely agree. Zirkzee top, Bruno left 10, Garnacho right 10 is the way to go for this game.

[@franciscomorais7283]

Thanks for the response. I would go with the strongest eleven available, can't afford to lose this game. 3 point would ease a bit of the pressure we are under.

[@Boylo2492]

@@franciscomorais7283 definitely. This is a must win to help ease our position in the PL, to continue building confidence and keep building momentum. A good performance and convincing win are a must 👍

[@juicysmooyay4076]

First

[@Geoff_1975]

👏

[@ultra6737]

Absolutely superb.✔⭐👀

[@Richard-c6u1i]

This fella is clueless

[@Naty5HD]

Why does Rasmus keep starting. He is useless. No technical ability at all, doesn’t even finish that well. Zirkee is 10x the player. He makes the whole attack more functional cos his dribbling and link up play. No more Rasmus. START ZIRKEE!

[@dannywelbz3650]

Then we have no goal threat and less running in behind especially with this system

[@Naty5HD]

@ Amad can score, Bruno can score. Zirkee has more PL goals than Rasmus. So what are you on about.

[@davidellinsworth3299]

Hojlund is a far better finisher than Zirkzee

[@Boylo2492]

It's never as bad as it seems and never as good as it seems. Saying Hojlund is useless is just not correct. He is young, makes poor decisions at times but most importantly he is low on confidence. Things can change very quickly. This time last year he went on a crazy run. Had a good 2nd half of the season. I wouldn't write him off but no doubt he is playing poorly and is very low on confidence. That happens often with young players like, particularly when they don't trust their teammates which is completely justified considering the players he's been playing with.

[@iankerr8189]

Ah, bro! I think you are wrong here. Useless is far too strong of a word for the situation. He can finish and very well. Look at the ratio of shots to goals. Hopefully when the system becomes more fluid. His movement improves and he can push on and be worth the money we paid. Get behind our boys now. It's gone bad for too long.

[@emmanuelogelle3965]

This lineup is as though we are afraid. If you cant play malacia against soton, when then? Malacia plays at lwb. Amad and bruno at 10 and zirkzee at 9. Garnacho, hojlund and collyer to come in later on.