PREVIEW: Southampton v Sunderland

Unavailable: Southampton – Gardoş, Pied

                       Sunderland – Mannone, O’Shea, Larsson, Kirchoff, Cattermole

Two teams. Two new managers. One point between the two of them. It isn't hugely cheerful reading ahead of this weekend's encounter between Southampton and Sunderland. It is true that both teams have had to contend with a new wave of optimism that has spread across both halves of Manchester, but no wins before an international break will inevitably lead to some uncomfortable questions. Out of Claude Puel and David Moyes, you feel that it is the former who is under increased pressure to banish that sense of apprehension.

The Frenchman would surely also have been keen to settle all his transfer dealings by now, but such is the nature of the beast that is the August window, the momentum generated in the last couple of days will often be the moment when your target is finally secured. If you're not counting the glamour signing of Stuart Taylor, Sofiane Boufal is the name that will not go away at the moment. The Moroccan is a raw talent whose game has been improved a great deal in the last year by Lille boss Frédéric Antonetti who took the reins in Nord-Pas-De-Calais at the tail end of last year. He may occasionally attempt too many flicks, tricks and pirouettes, but he could be the marquee signing that sparks Saints' season into life. Record signings haven't always worked well for Saints (and no, I'm not referring to Rory Delap), but Boufal is an exciting livewire who could propel the side forward this campaign.

In any case, the attacking midfielder can't play until next month, and for now, Puel needs his side to give a performance that proves that his team has a cutting edge. There was plenty of huff and puff at Old Trafford but Saints did not carve out a plethora of openings, and when they did have a half-chance, it fell at the feet of the two strikers. Unfortunately, as excellent an impact player Shane Long is, his finishing remains erratic. Nathan Redmond meanwhile merely rocketed the ball in the direction he was facing – the advertising hoardings.

A considered build-up against Sunderland would not be a negative tactic, but it may be the wrong one. A side that is low on confidence such as this weekend's visitors are crying out to be attacked from the off. Patience is key – especially when Jermain Defoe is down the other end of the pitch ready to convert the most meagre of opportunities – however Saints must try to pierce Sunderland's defensive midfield early doors and run directly at their defence which is not always the most stable.

This should be a time for Saints fans to be buzzing with the excitement of European football and a trip to the San Siro around the corner, however it has felt flat at the beginning of this season. Claude, it's time to reinvigorate St Mary's.

Key Battles

Bertrand v Januzaj: Ryan Bertrand should be back this for this weekend's game, but he will need to readjust rapidly if he is to take on Adnan Januzaj. After breaking through at Man United under David Moyes, he struggled to secure any playing time and fluency at Dortmund. He has taken a step down and early signs suggest that this has been a wise move. The Belgian was a rare bright spark in Sunderland's drab loss to Middlesbrough – often leaving George Friend panting back down the touchline. Bertrand will have less protection with the diamond midfield in place and will have to watch Januzaj as the winger cuts inside onto his left foot.

Tadić v McNair: Dušan Tadić has made a decent start to the season and seems to have revelled in his role as the No 10, but if Sofiane Boufal arrives then he will be under immediate pressure to retain that spot. The Serbian has threatened, and was a close second to Pierre-Emile Højbjerg in the stakes for MOM in the Watford game, but he now must penetrate the opposition's backline. Paddy McNair will most likely be the man charged with halting Saints' No 11. The Northern Irishman has impressed in his performances for his national side, but now has to prove his worth at club level.

Possible Line-ups

Southampton: Forster – Soares, Fonte (C), Van Dijk, Bertrand – Romeu, S. Davis, Højbjerg, Tadić – Long, Redmond

McCarthy, Yoshida, Clasie, Austin, Ward-Prowse, Olomola, Targett

Sunderland: Pickford – Love, Djilobodji, Koné, Van Aanholt – Rodwell, McNair – Januzaj, Gooch, Watmore – Defoe (C)

Stryjek, Khazri, Lens, Pienaar, Asoro, T. Robson, J. Robson

PREVIEW: Manchester United v Southampton

Unavailable: Manchester United – No players unavailable

                      Southampton – Bertrand

Dušan Tadić. Charlie Austin. The men who stunned Manchester United fans into silence in January 2015 and January 2016. Both raced to the one corner of Old Trafford where pandemonium ensued as Saints fans revelled in their joy in the red half of Manchester. This had not previously been a happy hunting ground for Saints, and it was necessary to eke out every last drop of euphoria. The home fans quickly recovered to release their angst, as fire and brimstone rained down upon Louis van Gaal.

We have not had to wait a calendar year for another trip to Old Trafford, as Southampton travel up to Manchester on Friday night with Sky trying to jab their fingers into as many pies as possible. It will be two different men in the dugout this time out with José Mourinho battling it out with Claude Puel. The Portuguese's return to Old Trafford hands United the opportunity to scramble together their credibility and their qualifications to be a "big club" once again.

Ed Woodward has certainly splurged enough money from his Mayfair office for that to be the case. Four players signed from Europe's other top leagues will be expected to heave United back into the race for the title. Eric Bailly, Henrik Mkhitaryan, Zlatan Ibrahimović and Paul Pogba certainly pack a punch on paper, but if the right balance was struck with United's young attacking talent then Mourinho could challenge Pep Guardiola for the Premier League crown.

It is not Claude Puel's first visit to Old Trafford. His Lille side went down to a 2-0 aggregate defeat to United in a tie which is largely remembered for Puel yanking players off the pitch after Ryan Giggs took a quick free kick to score. In his first couple of months as manager, the Frenchman has been regarded as a calm, collective figure, but anyone who stands toe to toe with the supposedly omnipotent Sir Alex Ferguson clearly has a bit of bite about them.

Puel is certainly bold with his unique diamond/False 9 formation. In last weekend's match with Watford, it lacked the required oomph to unsettle the Hornets in the first half. Neither James Ward-Prowse nor Steven Davis could pierce through the visitors' dogged defensive midfield, while it was only Shane Long who adequately challenged Watford's three centre-backs when he took up Tadić's role, but pushed up to mould his side into a 4-3-3. In the second half, matters improved immeasurably as the two strikers came together, allowing the full-backs to bomb into the space beyond. The introduction of Pierre-Emile Højbjerg was also crucial as he drove forward to aid the attacking onslaught in the closing moments, however Saints could not quite secure that winning goal.

How Puel lines his side up at Old Trafford will be intriguing. Will he stick with the diamond formation in an attempt to drill the system in or will he be more cautious to counter United's attacking prowess? One thing is for sure – Højbjerg must start. The Dane is a complete box-to-box midfielder and will become a crucial vertebra in Southampton's spine this campaign. United's defence remains fragile, and that driving force from midfield will be unsettling. Jérémy Pied also put in a solid performance at right-back during his debut last weekend, and could provide an interesting option for Puel on Friday night.

It will be an odd evening for José Fonte who is supposedly gagging for a move to the hosts (if you trust the Manchester Evening News). I have no qualms if the Portuguese wishes to depart for a bigger club – he has earned that opportunity. However, he must clearly stake his claim either way now – even if that means he is left to train with academy players until his departure if he opts to leave. Fonte has easily been one of Saints’ most important characters during the rise to the upper echelons of the Premier League, but he should not forget that the club has provided him with an extraordinary platform to excel at the highest level. Lingering in footballing purgatory helps no one José…

Key Battles

Rooney v Romeu: How Oriol Romeu has deserved his chance in that anchor role in the Saints midfield… After watching Victor Wanyama's inconsistent displays from the bench last season and deputising admirably, his chance has arrived to nail down a starting slot. Yet last Saturday, he was frequently undone by Etienne Capoue's forays forward into Saints' defensive third. Skill wasn't necessary – he merely burst past the Spaniard. Friday night will prove a tougher test as he faces Wayne Rooney. The England captain has been poor in the last few years as he lacks the sheer tenacity he once possessed, but given the chance he will connect play in the final third to open the door for his teammates.

Ibrahimović v Van Dijk: Zlatan Ibrahimović will make his long awaited home bow in a United shirt on Friday night, and he will be desperate to stamp his mark. It will be a hard task to stop the colossal Swede but it provides Virgil van Dijk with the chance to highlight his position as one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League. Physicality and concentration will be key for the Dutchman as Saints look to secure a third consecutive victory at Old Trafford.

Possible Line-ups

Manchester United: De Gea – Valencia, Bailly, Smalling, Shaw – Pogba, Herrera – Mata, Rooney (C), Martial – Ibrahimović

Romero, Rojo, Depay, Carrick, Mkhitaryan, Fellaini, Schneiderlin

Southampton: Forster – Pied, Fonte (C), Van Dijk, Targett – Romeu, S. Davis, Højbjerg, Tadić – Long, Redmond

McCarthy, Soares, Yoshida, Clasie, Rodriguez, Austin, Ward-Prowse

PREVIEW: Southampton v Watford

Unavailable: Southampton – Bertrand

                       Watford – Dja Djédjé, Success

Premier League football has crept up on us again this weekend after a summer brimming with sport has somewhat distracted fans from the hustle and bustle of the transfer market. So what state are Southampton in ahead of this weekend's opener against Watford? Not bad at all. But nagging doubts persist in my mind over a few matters.

Firstly, Claude Puel's diamond. In his final season at Nice, the Frenchman elected the mercurial Hatem Ben Arfa as his creator-in-chief at the tip of the midfield, and he has now handed that role to Dušan Tadić. The Serbian having more of a significant duty in the side certainly isn't a negative as he has the necessary tools to slot balls through the opposition defence at will. The problem is the fact that you could stick a few double decker buses in between both strikers in this formation. Charlie Austin galloping down the right wing is definitely not something I thought I would see on a regular basis when Saints signed the former QPR man last January. 

This formation resembles more of a False 9 formation rather than a conventional diamond with two narrow forwards, and as much as it has facilitated some nice passing moves in pre-season, I do wonder whether it allows the team to drive forward and attack the opposition in the manner which has brought the club so much success in the last few years. Shane Long's goal in the Bilbao game was an example of this as he darted into the centre before chasing onto a long, direct ball, wrestling off a defender and slotting home. I dearly hope that Claude is proved right with his tactical decisions as he grapples with Premier League football, but if it doesn’t work, then he cannot afford to be stubborn in altering his team's shape.

Secondly, the club needs to add further players to the squad with a guaranteed extra six games on the horizon, but I have no doubt that the necessary business will be done – how close to the end of the window that will take place is yet to be decided. Finally, the José Fonte “possibly leaving” niggling doubt has to be extinguished. Quickly. The captain does not require a new contract but a firm clarification on his future would greatly aid the feeling around the club. If he doesn’t then the club should not force him to stay à la Morgan Schneiderlin or Victor Wanyama. The Portuguese is older and his prime years are limited. Fonte obviously wouldn’t be as disgruntled as the two former Saints midfielders if such a situation arose, but the regret of missing out on a move to a “bigger” outfit may leave a sour taste for him and the club.

Here's hoping that he leads the team out on Saturday modelling Under Armour's debut effort bearing the much maligned white panel as Saints face a Watford side in transition once again. Last season, Quique Sánchez Flores developed a style that was direct and effective as well as delivering an FA Cup semi-final before the over zealous Pozzo family decreed that the Spaniard had taken the Hornets as far as he could. Now Walter Mazzarri takes the reins with a 3-5-2 formation that saw the club promoted from the Championship under Slaviša Jokanović. Finding a settled team could be key for Mazzarri in a squad that has seen many a turnover over the last few years.

Watford may be hard to break down on Saturday, but Saints must remain vigilant and survey the threat of a side who will most likely always leave two men up top. Both sets of full-backs will push high, therefore space could open up on the wings. Can Saints expose this on the opening day?

Key Battles

Targett v Anya: Ikechi Anya has played as a winger and a full-back but he is at his best when occupying that hybrid role of wing-back. Quique Flores preferred to adopt a 4-4-2 last season, but under Walter Mazzarri, Anya can return to his wing-back slot and roam up and down the right channel with pace and guile. Facing him will be Matt Targett who has improved immeasurably in the space of a year. He is no longer bullied in the full-back position as he occasionally was when used in the early part of last season, and will be keen to highlight his worth with Ryan Bertrand out.

Redmond v Cathcart: Nathan Redmond is likely to continue in the left striker role and will be desperate to score an early goal in a Saints shirt to prove that he has the necessary finishing capacity. In pre-season, he has showed some good skill on the ball but has been trying too hard if anything – occasionally ignoring the simpler yet more effective option. The England U21 man is a player with great potential but Saints will have to unlock it to showcase the best of him. Craig Cathcart will be tough competition for him after an excellent mature showing at the Euros. Redmond will have to overcome the Northern Ireland man's physicality to have any joy.

Possible Line-ups

Southampton: Forster – Soares, Fonte (C), Van Dijk, Targett – Romeu, Højbjerg, S. Davis, Tadić – Long, Redmond

McCarthy, Yoshida, Clasie, Rodriguez, Austin, Martina, Ward-Prowse

Watford: Gomes – Cathcart, Prödl, Britos – Anya, Watson, Guedioura, Capoue, Holebas – Ighalo, Deeney (C)

Pantilimon, Nyom, Suárez, Amrabat, Behrami, Zúñiga, Sinclair