September 12th 2024.
Marcus Rashford has not been performing well in the current season, as he has not had a single shot so far. As United prepares to face Southampton in the Premier League, Paul Merson has suggested that two key players should start the game, despite one of them struggling recently.
After a difficult start to the season, United is under immense pressure to secure a win against Southampton, especially since this is considered to be one of their easier matches. On the other hand, Southampton's return to the top-flight has not been ideal, with the team sitting at 19th place, having failed to secure a single point and only scoring one goal in three games.
However, the Saints may see this game as a chance to turn things around, given United's poor performance in front of the goal. Fans and experts alike have criticized Marcus Rashford for his lackluster performance, as he has not been able to score or even have a single shot in the opening three games. In fact, during the 3-0 loss to Liverpool, fans even jeered when manager Erik ten Hag decided to substitute Alejandro Garnahco instead of Rashford.
Despite this, Merson believes that Rashford still deserves a chance to prove himself and should be included in the starting lineup. He also suggests that Joshua Zirkzee, who has shown promise in his debut and against Liverpool, should also be given a chance to start. However, Merson also points out that ten Hag needs to quickly figure out his best lineup, as it is uncertain how United will line up against Southampton.
One of the challenges for ten Hag is the fact that his players only returned from international duty on Thursday and have to play an early kick-off on Saturday. This means that there is only one training session before the game, which could be a major problem for the team.
In terms of strikers, ten Hag has confirmed that Rasmus Hojlund is still unavailable for the match, so it is likely that Zirkzee will start up top. Merson warns that despite Southampton's struggles, this will still be a tough game for United and they cannot afford to lose to this team. He also adds that this is a must-win game for ten Hag and his team, as it could help them get back on track after a difficult start to the season.
Overall, Merson predicts a 3-0 win for Manchester United against Southampton. He believes that United has enough quality to secure a win and that this game could be a turning point for them. He also expects Southampton to struggle this season and does not see them getting anything out of this game.
In other Manchester United news, the team has been facing a lot of scrutiny and pressure. You can sign up for updates, exclusives, and analysis on the team through the website, which is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
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