After losing in the Champions League to Dutch side PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United will be looking to take out their frustrations on a stuttering Southampton tomorrow night.
With such a promising win over Premier League rivals Liverpool last weekend, many would have expected more from a confident travelling United team. What they saw, however, was a side that only showed flashes of potential and seemed completely deflated after going behind.
Southampton, on the other hand, had no European commitments but will be searching for a better performance than they turned in for their point in a scoreless game against West Brom. Though tighter at the back and probably the better of the two if forced to pick, the Saints were utterly lifeless moving forward in one of the more dull affairs of the season so far.
Key Battle – Memphis Depay vs Cédric Soares
Scrutiny on 21-year-old Memphis Depay has been immense and with no goals or assists yet recorded in the Premier League, pressure mounts on the youngster’s shoulders with every passing game. An impressive run finishing with a goal against former side PSV midweek will certainly ease the burden, but with such big promise coupled with such a big price tag, Memphis is never far from criticism.
Trying to quell the influence of the Dutchman will be Cédric, whom will also feature heavily in the Saints’ attack. The United winger will have to make sure he tracks back to not allow the left-hand side of his defence to be overloaded, nor enough time and space for the Portuguese fullback to cross from deep. Should either fail in their task defensively, it could be very costly.
Team News
With no fresh injuries to speak of, Koeman has his pick of the players involved in the previous game against West Brom. The only foreseeable changes are to the midfield, with the possibility that Sadio Mané will make his return to the starting XI.
Louis van Gaal will be missing first choice left-back Luke Shaw after horrifically breaking his leg midweek, forcing him out for most of the season. If the same cover as in the game against PSV is adopted, then we will see Daley Blind pushed out wide with Marcos Rojo coming into the centre of defence, while captain Wayne Rooney is set for continued absence through injury.
A disappointing night in the Netherlands may have seen the manager wanting to shake things up, though with the injuries he will instead be hoping for some consistency in the lineup. Former Saints star Morgan Schneiderlin may see some time, or even come into the XI against his former side.
Head-to-head
In matches between the two sides the Red Devils team undoubtedly holds the bragging rights, winning 45 of the 79 matches, with 18 being draws and the Saints coming out on top just 16 times.
Last Meeting
However, one of those 16 wins for Southampton did come in the last match at Old Trafford in January of this year. A backs to the wall performance from the South Coast side, in which they surrendered the majority of possession and attacking play to van Gaal’s men was won by a shot that bounced kindly back off the post to the feet of Dusan Tadić, who comfortably tapped it home.
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Prediction
Despite a poor showing in the Champions League, the Red Devils will be motivated to get the three points from this match and certainly have the quality in the squad to overcome an, as so far, lacklustre Southampton.
Much like the meeting last time between the two, United will have the better of possession and the Saints will just be hoping to grab a goal on the counter in order to come away with a point or more.
Southampton 0 Manchester United 2
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