United are 1/4 favourites to continue their recent form with a fifth straight win. Southampton are 9/1 underdogs, with the draw going for 9/2.
The hosts have kept clean sheets in four of their last five games at Old Trafford. A home win to nil is going for 23/20.
In the First Goalscorer market, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford both lead the way at 7/2. Bruno Fernandes is 11/8 to get on the scoresheet again, with Mason Greenwood a 5/4 shot.
Danny Ings has been the main man for Saints – he’s 6/1 to score first or 21/10 anytime. After netting against the blue side of Manchester, Che Adams is 6/1 to score against the Red Devils. Shane Long is also a 6/1 anytime scorer.
After Chelsea and Leicester City both lost convincingly at the weekend, Manchester United’s destiny is now in their own hands.
Their task is now simple – win all four of their remaining games and they’re guaranteed to finish third, securing Champions League qualification.
There have been false dawns with this United side before. Wins over Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City weren’t built upon. But their recent form suggests they may have turned the corner.
They’ve won their last four league games, scoring 14 goals and only conceding two during that period.
The arrival of Bruno Fernandes has helped to transform their play too. They previously looked short of ideas and energy far too often. Now they’re playing much more freely, with fluid passing and movement. Fernandes has also helped to bring the best out of Paul Pogba, who now has a player on a similar wavelength to work with.
With Mason Greenwood looking like the real deal, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka continuing to develop as an impressive full-back, there are plenty of reasons for United fans to be optimistic. Even Nemanja Matic, who looked well off the pace not too long ago, seems to have rolled back the years.
It’s a remarkable turnaround, considering the pressure that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was under not too long ago.
Now they just have to deliver in the final weeks of the season. United have only won one of their last four league games against Southampton. They can’t let their recent form allow complacency to creep in.
Southampton are safe in 12th, but a top-half finish could still be within reach. Danny Ings will be determined to get on the scoresheet in his hunt for the Golden Boot too.
The odds suggest United shouldn’t have too much trouble here. But this is a side that has lost to Watford and Bournemouth this term. They need to be winning these fixtures consistently to erase any lingering doubts about them.
If they want to sign the likes of Jadon Sancho as reported, Champions League football is a necessity. A path has opened up for them now. Can they take it?
