PREVIEW:
Southampton and Manchester United both currently sit in 3rd and 4th place, respectively. Southampton have taken the Premier League by storm this year, despite losing many of their supposed marquee players (the likes of Shaw, Lallana, Lovren and Lambert). United have hit some fine form in recent weeks, and after a very shaky start, finally seem to be consistently getting three points on the board. With both teams currently in Champions League qualifying places, will this match be a decider in who gets to stay there?
2012 saw the return of Southampton into the Premier League, along with a United side who had just come off the back of losing the league on goal difference, to bitter rivals Manchester City. The first encounter between the two since 2005 resulted in a Man United 2-3 away win at Saint Mary’s, where Robin van Persie bagged his first hat-trick for his new club. In the reverse fixture that season United came out on top again, this time winning 2-1 thanks to goals from Wayne Rooney. However since then, they have met twice and both matches have ended in draws (1-1 at Old Trafford and the same result at Saint Mary’s). If that’s anything to go by then it shows the gap between these two clubs is closing.
The Red Devils are set to be without £59.7million Argentine Angel Di Maria, along with Luke Shaw (ankle), Jonny Evans (ankle), Rafael (groin), Daley Blind (knee) and Phil Jones (calf), while Radamel Falcao is only fit enough to play “20 minutes” according to manager Louis van Gaal. Captain Wayne Rooney will return to the United squad after missing their 2-1 victory over Stoke with a slight knee problem. The thirteen time champions have won four games in a row including a 1-2 away win at the Emirates.
Southampton on the other hand have hit some pretty bad form in recent weeks. They’ve suffered defeats against Arsenal and City, after drawing away at then strugglers Aston Villa. A major reason for this is the absence of midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin who will miss tonight’s fixture, along with fellow midfielder Jack Cork (who has been ruled out for six weeks) Jay Rodriguez (knee), James Ward-Prowse (foot) Sam Gallagher (knee) and Toby Alderweireld who is a doubt for this game.
MATCH FACTS:
Southampton have scored the first goal in four of their last five PL meetings with Manchester United but lost three and won none of those four matches.
Saints’ last victory over United was in August 2003 – James Beattie scoring the only goal of the game at St Mary’s.
Just six of Manchester United’s 25 points so far this season have been claimed away from Old Trafford (Won 1 Drawn 3 Lost 2).
After nine goals in his first 12 Southampton games in all competitions, Pelle has not scored in his last five.
This the first Premier League game contested by two Dutch managers
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| Southampton vs Manchester United |
2012 saw the return of Southampton into the Premier League, along with a United side who had just come off the back of losing the league on goal difference, to bitter rivals Manchester City. The first encounter between the two since 2005 resulted in a Man United 2-3 away win at Saint Mary’s, where Robin van Persie bagged his first hat-trick for his new club. In the reverse fixture that season United came out on top again, this time winning 2-1 thanks to goals from Wayne Rooney. However since then, they have met twice and both matches have ended in draws (1-1 at Old Trafford and the same result at Saint Mary’s). If that’s anything to go by then it shows the gap between these two clubs is closing.
The Red Devils are set to be without £59.7million Argentine Angel Di Maria, along with Luke Shaw (ankle), Jonny Evans (ankle), Rafael (groin), Daley Blind (knee) and Phil Jones (calf), while Radamel Falcao is only fit enough to play “20 minutes” according to manager Louis van Gaal. Captain Wayne Rooney will return to the United squad after missing their 2-1 victory over Stoke with a slight knee problem. The thirteen time champions have won four games in a row including a 1-2 away win at the Emirates.
Southampton on the other hand have hit some pretty bad form in recent weeks. They’ve suffered defeats against Arsenal and City, after drawing away at then strugglers Aston Villa. A major reason for this is the absence of midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin who will miss tonight’s fixture, along with fellow midfielder Jack Cork (who has been ruled out for six weeks) Jay Rodriguez (knee), James Ward-Prowse (foot) Sam Gallagher (knee) and Toby Alderweireld who is a doubt for this game.
MATCH FACTS:
Southampton have scored the first goal in four of their last five PL meetings with Manchester United but lost three and won none of those four matches.
Saints’ last victory over United was in August 2003 – James Beattie scoring the only goal of the game at St Mary’s.
Just six of Manchester United’s 25 points so far this season have been claimed away from Old Trafford (Won 1 Drawn 3 Lost 2).
After nine goals in his first 12 Southampton games in all competitions, Pelle has not scored in his last five.
This the first Premier League game contested by two Dutch managers
Article contributed by: Kevin Santos
Twitter: @kevin5996
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