Old Trafford, 20:00 GMT
I have a lot of admiration for Manchester United’s performance in their FA Cup win against Arsenal, especially to grind it out with 10 men for an hour after Diogo Dalot was sent off.
But these next three games, at home against Southampton, Brighton and then Rangers, are a very different test for them compared to their trips to the Emirates Stadium and Anfield in the past week.
I don’t want to devalue what United did against Arsenal or Liverpool but they were games where the expectation was not on them to get results.
We know United are good on the counter-attack away from home, but against Saints at Old Trafford the onus is on them to take the game to the opposition.
That is exactly where they have been struggling recently and, like I said on 606 on Sunday night, it would be just like Manchester United to be flat, find things difficult, and drop more points.
Southampton under Ivan Jurica are very different to the way they played under previous boss Russell Martin because most of the time they just lump it forward now, and they are far more direct.
Saints may come into this game with a bit of confidence after beating Championship side Swansea in the FA Cup, ending a run of 12 games without a victory that went back to the start of November.
I still think United will find a way to win, but I am not so sure it will be a completely routine one.
I loved the way they defended against Arsenal and I thought it was quite pointed from Ruben Amorim when he came out afterwards and talked about that desire aspect.
He was speaking about traits which you would hope were pretty basic traits for any team to have – that ability to fight and scrap for a result.
United have shown they can do that part, now they have to show their quality too.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-0
Rory’s prediction: I watched United’s last home game, against Newcastle, and they were absolutely awful. I still can’t see them not beating Southampton though. 2-0
Dave’s prediction: United have had such a lot of stick that I think they are going to have a decent win. 3-1
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