Unavailable:
Manchester United – Young, Shaw, Rojo, Valencia, Carrick,
Jones, Schweinsteiger
Southampton – Gardoş, Rodriguez
If history has taught us anything about
Southampton and Manchester United encounters over the last couple of years – or
the whole of Ronald Koeman and Louis van Gaal’s respective careers for that
matter – it is that the away side always runs out as the victor. As I touched
upon in my preview for the reverse game at St Mary’s, the frosty/non-existent
rapport between the two Dutchmen always adds an extra element of spice to the
occasion, and if Koeman is searching for a good omen against his adversary, it
is that the match will take place at Old Trafford on Saturday. His side now
need to continue the good run of form that they have built up after successive
wins over Watford and West Brom, but neither opponent gave Saints a genuine
challenge to overcome.
United are an entirely different beast. While
Koeman was correct to state that there is not the same level of intimidation for
the away team in the Old Trafford tunnel when faced with Marouane Fellaini and
Daley Blind, compared with standing side to side with Ryan Giggs and Éric
Cantona in yesteryear, Van Gaal has the tools in his armoury to overcome almost
every team in the Premier League. That being said, United are a sleeping giant
waiting for someone to pour cold water over them – change may need to be
implemented by the Red Devils hierarchy with the United boss struggling to
generate success with a team that cost more than a pretty penny to put
together. The Dutchman has not yet crossed the Rubicon, but he is certainly
dipping a toe.
While United may have managed to divert
themselves away from the slump that no doubt ruined their manager’s Christmas, their
play has been tiresome at best. This has been well documented by the press and
Paul Scholes who seems to have found his voice after managing to avoid any
press coverage off the pitch during his esteemed career, but it is
understandable considering how dire it is to watch Wayne Rooney et al flounder around
the pitch. The England captain’s form is in fact a microcosm for United’s story
post-Alex Ferguson – both his team and he seem to have misplaced the tenacity,
drive and hunger that made them the title winning machine they once were.
Therefore, Saints should be brave and bold as
they head to the North West on Saturday. While shadows of former greats loom
large at Old Trafford, the current crop is plagued by injuries and a lack of
confidence. The Saints boss has options at his disposal, and should be ready to
pick at the hosts’ flaws. In attack, he can now switch his charges around, with
Graziano Pellè and new boy Charlie Austin ready and prepped. The former QPR man
was a steal, and is a complete No 9. It could be argued that Southampton have
not had a player quite like that since James Beattie. It will be a relief to
have such a capable all-rounder up top for Koeman, and Austin will hope to make
an impression on Saturday.
Key
Battles
Blind v
Long: On
Friday, Shane Long stated his view that the starting striker’s shirt was his to
lose. After a season and a half of being a firm No 2 to Pellè, the Italian’s
niggling injury has allowed the Irishman the opportunity to display his talent
to the St Mary’s faithful. Not only does he give that proverbial extra 10% with
his constant hassling and harrying that agitates opposition defenders, he has
an excellent spring which is often overlooked. At times, his finishing is
wayward, but he provides a different option to Pellè or Austin. Blind is the
perfect opponent on Saturday. Although Chris Smalling is often on hand to help
out, the Dutchman seems uncomfortable at centre-back. A victim of his own
versatility, Van Gaal believes that his compatriot can “do a job”, but Blind is
often hampered by his lack of pace and agility. Long should peel onto the
Dutchman to have some joy on Saturday.
Lingard
v Bertrand/Targett: Jesse
Lingard does not have fond memories of playing against Southampton. He was once
dismissed in an Under-21s game at St Mary’s, but has had a reasonable season
this time round. His skill and pace may trouble the left side of the defence,
and Ryan Bertrand and Matt Targett will have to co-ordinate in order to ably
cope with that threat on Saturday. If the attacker comes inside, Targett will
have to allow Bertrand to combat him, and be mindful of the overlap from right-back
Matteo Darmian. If given the chance though, both defenders should double up,
given Saints’ midfield is likely to be narrow once again, meaning that there
will be a lack of cover, so the visitors should make the most of a back five.
Possible
Line-ups
Manchester
United: De
Gea – Darmian, Smalling, Blind, Borthwick-Jackson – Fellaini, Schneiderlin –
Lingard, Herrera, Martial – Rooney (C)
Romero, Depay, Mata, Varela, McNair, Tuanzebe,
Pereira
Southampton:
Forster
– Soares, Van Dijk, Fonte (C), Bertrand, Targett – Wanyama, Clasie, S. Davis –
Mané, Long
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