Paul Merson has shared his thoughts on Manchester Uniteds upcoming "must-win" fixture against Southampton, following two consecutive defeats that have left the Red Devils under pressure. After a 3-0 drubbing by Liverpool and a heartbreaking last-minute loss to Brighton, Uniteds hopes for a strong Premier League campaign have been significantly dented, making their trip to St. Marys Stadium this weekend crucial.
While United's manager Erik ten Hag doesnt have any new injury worries, key players Luke Shaw and Rasmus Hjlund will still be unavailable. Nevertheless, Merson believes that Manchester United have enough firepower to secure a win and has offered his advice on who should start.
In a piece for **SportsKeeda**, Merson singled out two players he feels are vital for this game: Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee. Despite Rashford's recent struggles, which saw him receive criticism from United fans following his poor performance against Liverpool, Merson insists that the English forward should start. He noted, Even though Marcus Rashford is struggling at the moment, he still gets into my team. I would definitely play him in this fixture.
Merson also urged Ten Hag to include Joshua Zirkzee in the starting lineup, saying, Youve got to start with Joshua Zirkzee. Ten Hag has to quickly identify his best team though. Merson acknowledged that Manchester Uniteds lineup has been somewhat unpredictable recently, which he sees as a problem that needs to be addressed swiftly.
Southampton manager Russell Martin has praised Manchester Uniteds talent, and Merson agrees that Rashford is one of Uniteds key assets when he is in form. The challenge for Rashford will be to rediscover his form in time for this critical match. Meanwhile, starting Zirkzee could prove to be a popular decision, as the young Dutch striker has been in good spirits after scoring for the Netherlands during the international break.
While Merson is optimistic about Uniteds chances, he also warned that the game against Southampton, despite the Saints' struggles, wont be easy. He described it as a "nightmare" scenario for Erik ten Hag, as the team will have had limited preparation time with most players only returning from international duty on Thursday. With the early kickoff on Saturday, United will have just one training session before they head to the south coast. Merson stressed the importance of this match, saying, This is a must-win game, theres no two ways about it.
Despite the challenges, Merson is confident that Manchester United will secure the victory they desperately need. He expects Southampton to have a difficult season and doesnt see them posing too much of a threat in this match. His final prediction was a 3-0 win for United, a scoreline that would provide a much-needed morale boost for Erik ten Hags side and could set them on the path to recovery.
If United can claim victory, they have favorable fixtures ahead, and a win could help rebuild confidence within the squad. For ten Hag, getting his team selection right and reigniting Rashfords form will be key in turning around the team's early-season struggles.
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