Southampton vs Manchester United: 11 things you need to know about Monday's meeting at St Mary's

Dec 08, 2014 11:37
By Paul Gorst

The high-flying Saints face another test of their long-term capabilities when they host the in-form Red Devils - we've got everything you need to know here

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Juan Mata of Manchester United celebrates going 2-1 up with teammates — Incentive: United can move into top four with a win on Monday

The weekend's Premier League action is book-ended on Monday evening when Southampton host Manchester United.
The in-form Red Devils arrive at St Mary's on the back of four consecutive victories, and a trip to the south coast will provide Louis van Gaal's side with a real test.
Similarly, the visit from United offers the high-flying Saints another test of their long-term capabilities, and Ronald Koeman will be keen to bounce back from back-to-back defeats to Manchester City and Arsenal.

1. When is the match on?

Monday evening, an 8pm kick-off.

2. What channel is it on?

The match will be shown live on Sky Sports, with Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville providing their usual expert analysis.

3. Team News

Southampton: Ronald Koeman has something of an midfield headache ahead of the game.
The Dutchman has confirmed that Jack Cork will be out until the New Year, while Toby Alderweireld underwent a scan on a hamstring issue earlier this week and is rated as doubtful.
Morgan Schneiderlin is also out with a thigh problem, while long-term absentee Jay Rodriguez remains sidelined.
Manchester United: The good news for United is that Wayne Rooney is expected to feature.
The bad news? Angel di Maria is still out with a hamstring issue, but Jonny Evans could return.
Luke Shaw, Rafael, Daley Blind, Phil Jones and Jesse Lingard are all still out for United.

Mathieu Flamini battles for the ball with Graziano Pelle — Pelle is expected to start against Man Utd

4. Predicted sides

Southampton: Forster; Clyne, Fonte, Gardos, Bertrand, Wanyama; Yoshida, S. Davis, Tadic; Long, Pelle
Manchester United: De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Rojo, Young; Herrera, Fellaini, Carrick, Mata; Van Persie, Rooney.

5. Reasons for Southampton fans to be optimistic

Southampton are at home and are currently fourth in the Premier League as we head into mid-December - not a bad start to management in England from Koeman.
The Saints have only lost once at home all season - against champions Manchester City last week.
Victory will take them back up to third in the table after 15 games.

6. Reasons for Man Utd fans to be optimistic

Van Gaal's United looks as though it is starting to take shape - four straight wins have moved them up to fifth - and victory on Monday will see them leapfrog the Saints into fourth.
Southampton are currently on their worst run of form this season, with just one point from a possible nine registered by Koeman's side.
United have won four of the last six meetings between these two sides with the other two games ending in draws.

7. The key man

For all United's big-money splurges last summer, Wayne Rooney remains critical to the team's chances of success.
Robin van Persie had been off-colour before his goalscoring exploits against Hull recently, and Radamel Falcao's United career has been a stop-start affair.
The England captain was a doubt for the game, but his inclusion should come as a big relief for United supporters.

Wayne Rooney of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team's second goal — In-form: Rooney has been key for United this season

8. Last five meetings

Southampton 1-1 Manchester United (May 11, 2014).
Manchester United 1-1 Southampton (October 19, 2013).
Manchester United 2-1 Southampton (January 30, 2013).
Southampton 2-3 Manchester United (September 2, 2012).
Southampton 1-2 Manchester United (May 15, 2005).

9. Quote corner

Louis van Gaal on Graziano Pelle: "I am not surprised [at his success] because I bought him at AZ as he was an attacking point. I've said about Van Persie that I like strikers who are an attacking point, not only a striker who scores goals. He is also very creative. He is always seeing the third man. Van Persie is also always seeing the third man."
Chris Smalling on the importance of Champions League football: "You hear the Champions League music when they all line up and it's just a case where we've been in it year after year, so it's a sad time. We'll be making sure we don't miss out again next year. It's a bit gutting that we're not involved but you can see the standard of football we need to make sure we rise to."

10. Simon Bird's prediction

If Southampton fancy themselves as a top team, a really top team, they need to produce against their top of the table peers.
Defeat to Manchester City last weekend was a blow, and showed they still have work to do to be a long term top four side. They were too open and maybe need to tweak their usual expansive game against top of the table rivals.
Manchester United's form of late, five wins in a row, suggests they are on target to be in the top three, and maybe even challenge for the title, although they are slightly adrift at the moment.
A win here for United, and their rivals would really take notice.
Prediction: 1-2
Read the weekend's full predictions here.