Manchester United Vs Southampton

Status
Not open for further replies.
Really looking forward to this. Expecting a nice open game with both sides scoring. 3-2 United.

If I was picking:

De Gea​
Rafael Jones Vidic Evra​
Carrick Fellaini​
Nani Rooney Januzaj​
Ven Persie​
 
A potential banana skin this one. The Saints ran us close last time around and have improved considerably since then. They play a very impressive pressing game with a high defensive line.

We need to have as much mobility in the team as possible against these lads otherwise we will easily lose the midfield. With Cleverly out I am somewhat reluctant to see Fellaini partnering Carrick in midfield for this one, unless we play a midfield three with either Anderson, Kagawa or Adnan providing the link between the deep lying midfield and the forwards.

Should be a cracking match, not an open one but one extolling the virtues of collective pressing as an important feature of the modern game.
 
A potential banana skin this one.

I think even that description is harsh on the Saints. A banana skin is a team who you should comfortably beat but for one reason or the other have a chance of slipping you up. Southampton are increasingly an Everton - a genuinely threatening team that are dangerous even when you're prepared for them.
 
I think even that description is harsh on the Saints. A banana skin is a team who you should comfortably beat but for one reason or the other have a chance of slipping you up. Southampton are increasingly an Everton - a genuinely threatening team that are dangerous even when you're prepared for them.


It is not harsh on the basis of how the two teams have fared in the past two or so seasons. Saints were nearly relegated had it not been for Pochettino's appointment and subsequent rescue job last season while we coasted the championship. They may be playing better than us this season but seriously Southampton are a side that United ought to be beating comfortably if we are truly as a good a side as most of us fans think or anyone else in football for that matter. I honestly hope our stuttering start hasn't lowered expectations that low.

That said, I am really looking forward to the match, as the Saints alongside Swansea play the most continental style of football in the Premier League.
 
As everyone keeps saying, this is going to be really tight. Can we not just wallop them please? 5-0 would be lovely.
 
I think even that description is harsh on the Saints. A banana skin is a team who you should comfortably beat but for one reason or the other have a chance of slipping you up. Southampton are increasingly an Everton - a genuinely threatening team that are dangerous even when you're prepared for them.

They used to be one of our bogey teams. I remember one game at Old Trafford when Ron Davies (who later signed for us) scored four goals for them. They're a decent side all right and play some attractive football. Should be a good game.

 
They used to be one of our bogey teams. I remember one game at Old Trafford when Ron Davies (who later signed for us) scored four goals for them. They're a decent side all right and play some attractive football. Should be a good game.

We could never afford United season tickets (and obviously after we moved south it would have been impractical anyway) but for a season or two me and my dad had So'ton season tickets, so we could watch some football and get to see United every now and then. It seems to me that I spent most of those games having to 'celebrate' United conceding. Crushing.
 
----------------------------David De Gea-------------------------


--R.de Silva----------N. Vidic----------J. Evans---------P. Evra---



---------------------Carrick---------Fellaini----------------------



---------------------------Januzaj------------------------------



------------Kagawa---------R.Van Persie-----W.Rooney-----------


feck the wingers. Sick of RVP isolated upfront with Rooney constantly pulled back into midfield to plug gaps. Want to see this 4-2-3 wingless system.

Let our fullbacks overlap with Carrick or Fellaini sitting and covering in the middle to shild defence just in case.Southampton play possession continental football. We should go for our more technical players.

Prediction:4-3 Rooney 4 goals
 
It is not harsh on the basis of how the two teams have fared in the past two or so seasons. Saints were nearly relegated had it not been for Pochettino's appointment and subsequent rescue job last season while we coasted the championship. They may be playing better than us this season but seriously Southampton are a side that United ought to be beating comfortably if we are truly as a good a side as most of us fans think or anyone else in football for that matter. I honestly hope our stuttering start hasn't lowered expectations that low.

That said, I am really looking forward to the match, as the Saints alongside Swansea play the most continental style of football in the Premier League.

I agree with Britonian, I think it is a bit harsh. Just look at the two games against them last season. At St Mary's they were 1-0 and 2-1 up against us with a RvP hat trick helping us to win 3-2 (having done the exact same thing against City the week before). Then in the reverse at OT they pressed the shit out of us and we just about hung on. That second half performance was one of the worst I've seen at OT because they didn't allow us to play, and also one of the best performances from a visiting team at OT, and despite them not taking anything from the game they were the dominant team that game. They turned City over at the Etihad too not long after they ran us close at OT. They've steadily improved too under Pochettino, and have the 2nd best defence in Europe this season. We need to win this one but I can't see it being an easy game by any means, and that's not lowered expectations it's just not underestimating Southampton. I won't expect a great performance from us, an ugly ground out win would do me fine.
 
I'm a big fan of Southampton's style of play, which makes me daunt playing against it. They press tirelessly, they play a congested midfield where everyone gets involved and their men are so hard to pick up. We seem to be lousy at playing against teams who press high, but I hope we've been preparing to combat it. Perhaps a 3 man midfield, or a wingless diamond. If we don't take control of the middle of the pitch, they will instantly gain the advantage, and they've got plenty of capable goal scorers to do just that.

Welbeck to start, as he's our most tireless grafter who will press and chase the ball. I'd involve Hernandez at some point too, as their defence is tight, and his movement and pace will cause problems.
 
We'll lose this.
 
Southampton always bring back memories in 96 when we lost like 6-3 and Keano and scholes went off... But I'd like to see...

DDG
RAFAEL-VIDIC-FERDINAND-EVRA
NANI-CARRICK-CLEV-FELLAINI-JANUZAJ
ROONEY

SUBS: LINDEGAARD, EVANS, FABIO, ZAHA, JONES, HERNANDEZ
 
We'll lose this.

I certainly wouldn't be surprised. This might be the first time I bet against United at Old Trafford. Decent odds for a Southampton win.
 
PREMIER LEAGUE TEAM NEWS - Manchester United v Southampton (Saturday 1500 BST)
_70565577_vanpersieandevra_getty.jpg

Manchester United will assess Tom Cleverley, who withdrew from the England squad because of a calf injury.
Defender Rio Ferdinand may return from a groin problem, while teenage winger Adnan Januzaj could keep his starting spot after starring atSunderland.
Southampton goalkeeper Artur Boruc is available despite reports that he missed Poland's defeat by England because of a hamstring injury.
Luke Shaw withdrew from England under-21 duty with illness but is now fit.
 
Yeah, don't feel confident about this one at all. Southampton were one of the best sides to visit us last season and are improving still. Meanwhile, we are usually crap after international breaks.
 
It would be funny if every player in this match who was 'injured' over the international break ends up playing.
 
Seems that most are aware how tricky this one is.

I think we may have to score 3 to win it....:o

Hope the real RVP turns up.
 
We have to come out of the traps quickly in this one, which is something that we didn't do vs Sunderland and it cost us. Southampton love to have possession, so we can't afford to be wasteful either.

I'm going with a 3-1 win. RVP to score at least one of them.
 
I think you're over-estimating their threat, really.

Decent side, but they've struggled to score from open play this season. Defend set pieces well and United should win.
 
I think you're over-estimating their threat, really.

Decent side, but they've struggled to score from open play this season. Defend set pieces well and United should win.

Really depends which United you get. Some people talk as if we've been mediocre all season but for me it's more been a case of some very good games (Swansea, Leverkusen) and some really awful games (City, West Brom).

Evans needs to play, not Ferdinand.
 
Really depends which United you get. Some people talk as if we've been mediocre all season but for me it's more been a case of some very good games (Swansea, Leverkusen) and some really awful games (City, West Brom).

Evans needs to play, not Ferdinand.


Mediocre comes from the average of what you've done this year. Some good displays, some bad ones, and a few in between. All of this leads to 'mediocre.'

You're forgetting some pretty tepid displays away to Sunderland(did enough), Shakhtar, at home to Liverpool(did enough) and at home to Palace.
 
Mediocre comes from the average of what you've done this year. Some good displays, some bad ones, and a few in between. All of this leads to 'mediocre.'

Yes, I'm familiar with the principle. Obviously I was talking about caftards who claim that we have been mediocre in almost every game.

Also you've obviously not watched all the matches you mention there. We were actually pretty good against Sunderland, particularly in the second half, and were very unlucky not to score more. It's that sort of laziness - only won 2-1, must have been average - that leads to the misconception I'm referring to.

Anyway I'm not going to get into another gunner wumfest - that's my opinion, do with it as you will.
 
Yes, I'm familiar with the principle. Obviously I was talking about caftards who claim that we have been mediocre in almost every game.

Also you've obviously not watched all the matches you mention there. We were actually pretty good against Sunderland, particularly in the second half, and were very unlucky not to score more. It's that sort of laziness - only won 2-1, must have been average - that leads to the misconception I'm referring to.

Anyway I'm not going to get into another gunner wumfest - that's my opinion, do with it as you will.


It's hardly a wum. You're so precious. You could have been knocked out of the game in the first half v Sunderland. They missed some good chances. The second half was better and you got the goals you needed, but it was hardly a vintage display.

That's my opinion, do with it what you will.
 
Don't see what Al has said to offend you here Brightonian. certainly doesn't look a wind up to me. Granted we've faced tough oppo but there's no denying we've been mediocre this season (by United standards, obviously).

I'd also disagree that we were "pretty good" against Sunderland. I thought we were OK and made an awful Sunderland side look half decent. Not to mention the fact we would have been buried but for de Gea.
 
One of my mates from work is a big Saints fan. He has been saying that they are solid, but worries about the amount of goals they are scoring and on top of that, how many goals their strikers have been scoring.

I think the international break would have done us good. Rooney played his way back into some form, same with Nani and RVP. Confident about this but then again, I normally am
 
I feel like it would be the perfect time to try out kagawa in central midfield. Cleverley and fellaini both had slight injuries, and Anderson just isn't that good, so it could be the perfect chance.
Rvp Rooney
Januzaj kagawa Carrick nani
Evra Evans Vidic Rafael
De gea

I think you're over-estimating their threat, really.

Decent side, but they've struggled to score from open play this season. Defend set pieces well and United should win.
Could say the same for us this season up until now...
Think we'll win it though. The international break came at the perfect time for us, just hope everyone's fit.
 
One of the most respected clubs in football. Should be a great game and looking forward to meeting their home grown talents again.
 
Really apprehensive about this game and I think we will draw.

They are a side perfectly suited to playing us due to their high-octane pressing game and they were unfortunate to lose at Old Trafford last season - since then they have improved. Some of our most demoralising defeats in recent years have been to teams that either press the opposition high or play with a lot of intensity, such as Bilbao, Barcelona and City. Of course, Southampton don't compare to Barcelona, City and even what Bilbao were a few years ago, but it's not so much about their quality - even though they are a very good side - it's more so about their style of play.

We have very few really technically-gifted players or players who are comfortable under pressure and simply adept at retaining possession and keeping the tempo high. If we had every player at our disposal, the likes of Evans, Cleverley, Welbeck and obviously Carrick should be absolute shoe-ins for this game. Evans improves our composure and distribution from defence ten-fold and would be a calming influence in possession alongside Vidic. Welbeck is someone who always makes himself available to receive a pas with his movement and energy dropping deep and we will constantly need an open option tomorrow rather than being static in our play. Carrick is pretty self-explanatory really so there's no need to go into that.

Cleverley however will be a really big miss for us and despite a lot complaining about his contribution recently a lot of people will realise just how important he is tomorrow. Fellaini is quite clearly a good player to have up against a very combative midfield in Schneiderlin and Wanyama, but he doesn't display the same mobility, energy levels and effective ball-retention that Cleverley offers. He has to start in Cleverley's absence though, as Anderson and Giggs really do not inspire confidence in the middle of the park.

I would personally like to see Kagawa start as a number ten also, in place of Rooney or van Persie. Don't get me wrong, I am not a 'fanboy' or expecting a great performance from him every time he steps on the pitch, it's just we will need to progress up the pitch which more patience and fluidity to our game against Southampton. In many ways, he is a better link between the midfield and attack than Rooney and as shown against Sunderland we can often find ourselves struggling to link the midfield and attack as Rooney is naturally very attack-minded.

Other than that, I think Januzaj has to start and should be one of the first names on the teamsheet. Excellent form should always be rewarded by starting the following match, in Januzaj's case he also can't play in the Champions League midweek, so that's further case for inclusion. And Welbeck and Kagawa along with van Persie, who just might hit form after scoring during international week.
 
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...d-ahead-Premier-League-clash-Southampton.html
Down in ninth, struggling for form and with sizzling Saints up next, but you'd never know as RVP and co joke around at Man United HQ

article-2465848-18D29CA200000578-638_964x384.jpg

If David Moyes and his Manchester United were feeling any pressure from their sub-par start to the season, it didn't show in training ahead of the home match with Southampton. United enter the match languishing in ninth, five places and four points behind the in-form Saints.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...d-ahead-Premier-League-clash-Southampton.html

How dare our players laugh while preparing for this game, whilst were 9th in the table? The sheer fecking audacity of it.
 
Moyes reckons RVP is the major concern but he looks well in that training shot (smiling and not grimacing though pain!).My feeling is that RVP will start with Rooney and that Adnan will play also.We can't take this lot lightly and so we must be full strength, regardless of Deportivo next week.I have felt good all week about this game but a few nerves have crept in.A few pre-match pints will settle them.

My only concern is the defence.I am hopnig for Smalling/Evans and Vidic with Rafa and Evra at FB.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.