FA Premier League

Manchester United 0:1 Southampton

Old Trafford

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Sun, 11 January 2015 @ 4:00pm GMT
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    I suppose with our changing fitness fortunes this will give us our best indication of what LVGs philosophy is all about in terms of tactics

    Hoping for 4 at the back like most....

    Torn between the diamond which has looked solid but I still think the balance might be better with a 4-3-3 where we can make proper use of Di Maria's pace
     
    Sam said:
    There's going to be so much moaning in here tomorrow when its a 3-5-2 and none of Rafael, Rojo, Blind, Herrera or Di Maria start.
    Click to expand...
    Gonna be a shit storm when lvg plays the 3 stooges in defence and Rooney Carrick midfield with valencia and Shaw at wingback :lol:
     
    ChaddyP said:
    Gonna be a shit storm when lvg plays the 3 stooges in defence and Rooney Carrick midfield with valencia and Shaw at wingback :lol:
    Click to expand...

    Yep :lol:

    I think realistically its very unlikely that Rafael, Rojo or Blind will start. And I think Di Maria will be an outside bet, with such a little amount of football in recent weeks.
     
    buckooo1978 said:
    I suppose with our changing fitness fortunes this will give us our best indication of what LVGs philosophy is all about in terms of tactics

    Hoping for 4 at the back like most....

    Torn between the diamond which has looked solid but I still think the balance might be better with a 4-3-3 where we can make proper use of Di Maria's pace
    Click to expand...


    On the contrary, I think the 4-3-3 would limit Di Maria rather than make 'proper' use of him. All his best performances for us have come from that CM position in the diamond.
     
    To be honest we have some piss easy fixtures coming up barring an away trip to WHU in early Feb, so we could do with the win tomorrow to put some real daylight between 3rd and 4th. Our play has been pretty tumescent over the winter break but it's difficult to tell whether that is due to fixture congestion, injuries, tiredness, poor tactics or all of the above. I'm praying for a 4 at the back and a bit of tempo to our attacks.
     
    Oddboy said:
    To be honest we have some piss easy fixtures coming up barring an away trip to WHU in early Feb, so we could do with the win tomorrow to put some real daylight between 3rd and 4th. Our play has been pretty tumescent over the winter break but it's difficult to tell whether that is due to fixture congestion, injuries, tiredness, poor tactics or all of the above. I'm praying for a 4 at the back and a bit of tempo to our attacks.
    Click to expand...

    We all said the first six or seven fixtures were piss easy and look where that got us though.

    No games are piss easy in this league anyway and undoubtedly we'll make it hard for ourselves in every single one of them.
     
    I'm going for an XI that can easily switch between 4 and 3 at the back. So:

    De Gea

    Jones_______Carrick______Smalling

    Valencia_____________________________Shaw

    Herrera_____Rooney____Di maria


    Van Persie______Falcao


    to interchange with:


    De Gea

    Valencia______Jones_______Smalling_______Shaw

    Carrick

    Herrera___________Di Maria

    Rooney

    Van Persie________Falcao

    ​
    Only reservation is the absence of a left footed CB, which we know LVG likes. So it'd probably be Evans for one of Smalling or Jones, even if I'd rather it wasn't.
     
    Must win match for us today, we need to open the gap between us and 4th again asap rocky! We also can close a gap which never should have been opened against City to 7 points.

    If the players cant get motivated to win this, then any player giving a interview after the game saying "we can still win the league" cough cough Shaw, Carrick.... Should be fecked off! Show everyone you mean business and want to win the league by smashing Southampton and making an example of them! We basically have a near fully fit squad so hopefully we are geared up for this!
     
    TheUnitedWay said:
    Why is everyone putting Blind in their teams? Did LVG say he's back or summit?
    Click to expand...
    He's just started training a week ago I think. I seriously doubt he'll start.

    Also if either of Rafael or Shaw isn't fit, we'll obviously be going 352 again.
     
    simonhch said:
    I'm going for an XI that can easily switch between 4 and 3 at the back. So:

    De Gea

    Jones_______Carrick______Smalling

    Valencia_____________________________Shaw

    Herrera_____Rooney____Di maria


    Van Persie______Falcao


    to interchange with:


    De Gea

    Valencia______Jones_______Smalling_______Shaw

    Carrick

    Herrera___________Di Maria

    Rooney

    Van Persie________Falcao

    ​
    Only reservation is the absence of a left footed CB, which we know LVG likes. So it'd probably be Evans for one of Smalling or Jones, even if I'd rather it wasn't.
    Click to expand...

    Looks good. I, like you, think Di Maria will start this. Enough time has passed for LvG to deem him match fit. Especially as this is against arch nemesis Koeman. I reckon Shaw only received a niggle in the FA cup and can play.

    However, i think we will play with 3 natural central defenders, yet again to sacrifice Herrera. Possibly with Blackett but more likely Evans coming in to the left. McNair was poor away to Soton which is why i don't think he will start.

    I'm not hundred that we'll start with all strikers. Fellaini might be able to start, moving Di Maria and Rooney one step up the formation. Rooney to start next to either RvP or Falcao. Though Falcao have scored a few lately. But so has RvP, including the winner v Soton. Hmm..

    All i want is a positive game plan. Press them in their half. Win the ball back quickly and counter when the opportunity arises. Keep the ball and be patient in looking for gaps in Sotons defence. I want to see Shaw taking on his fullback, cutting inside and providing our attackers in their penalty area. I haven't seen much of that, mostly crosses, leave those to Tony.

    Actually, this has been a theme all season, us not getting in to the penalty area enough which might explain the lack of shots taken recently. Against Yeovil we only played on the wings, we mustn't leave the middle of the park free for Schneiderlin and Wanyama to dominate.

    This will be won or lost in midfield. Ours need to help out everywhere. We can't allow them to press our defence as that's were we are most vulnerable. Build up play from the wingbacks and move inside. Man, we need central defenders who can pass the ball..

    As always very hard to predict how we'll start. Hopefully the injuries-saga has ended for a bit (yeah, right?) so we can start playing a more consistent eleven. Let's fecking win this!
     
    Last edited:
    santeria13 said:
    On the contrary, I think the 4-3-3 would limit Di Maria rather than make 'proper' use of him. All his best performances for us have come from that CM position in the diamond.
    Click to expand...

    I agree with you - I was thinking more about the team dynamic than his personal place in the team. He has played his best football in midfield as part of a three for Madrid - he did manage to get forward from there as well.

    The good thing for Madrid was that they had raw pace in attack already with Bale, Ronaldo and Benzema in front of him.

    I was considering it might be better for the team to use Di Maria's qualities in a more advanced position - we don't create that many chances generally and a lot of that is due to the slow build up play - with players like Mata, RVP, Falcao and Rooney you are never going to be able to fully exploit the space or catch defences out

    Conversely - defences are able to get back and get organised against us quite easily which has made it more difficult for us in attack

    Di Maria has been best for us in the diamond - playing him and Januzaj as the wide men in a 3 is certainly a good plan B
     
    it's not a good idea to play 352 for this game for we don't have any proper cover for the wingbacks, and shaw deems not to be able to last long for 90 minutes moreover. there is no point to make a planned switch of formation at the 60 minutes mark.

    i think we will go for MW. the only uncertainty is whether if we shall start herrera or not. his attitude towards being a midfielder will be the key whether if he can or if he should start. otherwise i would rather select fletcher for the no 8 role. my pick:

    ddg, jones, smalling, valencia, carrick, evans, rooney, fletcher, diMaria, falcao, rvp

    at the 60 minutes mark will replace one of falcao/rvp by either of mata or herrerra, and put up diMaria and give him a free role at the upfront
     
    ----------de gea---------
    -----smalling--Rojo-------
    Rafa-----Carrick------shaw
    -----Herrera---Rooney-----
    -----------di Maria----------
    ------RVP----------Falcao---

    Carrick drops back into 3 and raf/shaw push on.
     
    Coming up for the match today from South Wales.

    Hoping to see a Falcao start and get a goal! Also hoping for Di Maria to play.
     
    simonhch said:
    I'm going for an XI that can easily switch between 4 and 3 at the back. So:

    De Gea

    Jones_______Carrick______Smalling

    Valencia_____________________________Shaw

    Herrera_____Rooney____Di maria


    Van Persie______Falcao


    to interchange with:


    De Gea

    Valencia______Jones_______Smalling_______Shaw

    Carrick

    Herrera___________Di Maria

    Rooney

    Van Persie________Falcao

    ​
    Only reservation is the absence of a left footed CB, which we know LVG likes. So it'd probably be Evans for one of Smalling or Jones, even if I'd rather it wasn't.
    Click to expand...

    Was thinking the exact same except Mata for Herrera.
     
    United We Stand cover today...class

    2r6mlbc.png
     
    rover said:
    it's not a good idea to play 352 for this game for we don't have any proper cover for the wingbacks, and shaw deems not to be able to last long for 90 minutes moreover. there is no point to make a planned switch of formation at the 60 minutes mark.

    i think we will go for MW. the only uncertainty is whether if we shall start herrera or not. his attitude towards being a midfielder will be the key whether if he can or if he should start. otherwise i would rather select fletcher for the no 8 role. my pick:

    ddg, jones, smalling, valencia, carrick, evans, rooney, fletcher, diMaria, falcao, rvp

    at the 60 minutes mark will replace one of falcao/rvp by either of mata or herrerra, and put up diMaria and give him a free role at the upfront
    Click to expand...

    Have you not seen Fletch in the last year or two and you are concerned Shaw won't last a full game? If we play Fletcher we will get beat, I'd rather have TC23 playing and that's saying something.
     
    Any unofficial team news tweets flying around?
     
    Ramshock said:
    Nope not in midfield
    Click to expand...

    He has been good alongside Rooney in there. Playing to well to get dropped imo. If we are going to bring Di Maria in then we must either sacrifice 1 of the centre backs or keep 3 at the back(5 in our case as our 2 wing backs are full backs) or drop one of RVP or Falcao. I hope it is not Falcao as he has done enough to warrant his place.
     
    I've got a funny feeling this is going to be another convincing win like the Hull/Newcastle game.
     
    I think Herrera will get the start today. It seems LVG is slowly getting convinced by him, and you can't really drop him after a goal like that.
     
    simonhch said:
    I'm going for an XI that can easily switch between 4 and 3 at the back. So:

    De Gea

    Jones_______Carrick______Smalling

    Valencia_____________________________Shaw

    Herrera_____Rooney____Di maria


    Van Persie______Falcao


    to interchange with:


    De Gea

    Valencia______Jones_______Smalling_______Shaw

    Carrick

    Herrera___________Di Maria

    Rooney

    Van Persie________Falcao

    ​
    Only reservation is the absence of a left footed CB, which we know LVG likes. So it'd probably be Evans for one of Smalling or Jones, even if I'd rather it wasn't.
    Click to expand...

    100% agree with the formations. The 3-5-2 and 4-1-2-1-2 isn't really all that diffrent, and we could easily change from one to another during games depending on the situation. You seem though to have the misconception that Evans is left footed? Seen quite a few who think so, but he's right footed, so the 3/2 cb's would probablay be the ones you favour :) Could be that Rojo could take one of the spots since he's a leftie, but he probablay isn't match fit yet.
     
    If we play three at the back again this game is going to be a big struggle. Southampton are a decent side and with Rooney in CM again it would be hard to see how we could win the CM battle against Schneiderlin and Wanyama. No reason to go with 3-5-2 though, as pretty much everyone is fit. If Rafael can't make it play Valencia on the right, Herrera with Carrick in CM alongside Di Maria and Mata, Rooney and RVP upfront.

    I fear 3-5-2 is what LVG is going to opt for though.
     
    I hope we don't go 3-5-2 again.

    Would like to see a midfield diamond of Carrick-Herrera-Di Maria-Mata with Rooney back up front.
     
    I've got a sneaky feeling this'll be the signature performance LvG has been asking for. We should be comfortably turning them over at OT.
     
    I think/hope something along the lines of this:

    ----------------De Gea----------------
    -Valencia*--Jones--Smalling--Shaw-
    ----------------Carrick----------------
    ----Hererra--------------Di Maria----
    ----------------Rooney----------------
    -------------Rvp---Falcao-------------

    *would prefer Rafa, but I can't see LvG risking him

    Bench: Valdes, Rojo, Blind, Januzaj, Mata/Hererra, Wilson.


    Hererra might be Mata moving forward with Rooney in midfield, but after Hererra's performance against Yeovil I don't think he deserves to be dropped. On the other hand, Mata is having a good run as well, so it's hard to choose.

    As @simonhch posted before, this formation can swap between 5 in the back (with Carrick dropping back and Valencia/Shaw moving forward) if need be. I think Blind and Rojo will be subbed in to get some match fitness. Would like to see Januzaj come on as well, but I'm doubting it.
     
    Absolutely imperative that we take 3 points today. I really hope we get rid of the 3-5-2 now that majority of our squad are not injured regardless of match fitness. Not confident for this one if LVG decides to go with Rooney and Mata in midfield again.
     
    Players have returned from injury ( Blind-Fellaini-Rojo-Shaw-Raf-Valencia ). Playing 3-5-2 will not be acceptable.
     
    Anyone have any idea how fit ADM is? Will he be able to start?
     
    minoo-utd said:
    Players have returned from injury ( Blind-Fellaini-Rojo-Shaw-Raf-Valencia ). Playing 3-5-2 will not be acceptable.
    Click to expand...

    Quite a few of those players are not likely to appear today - considering that they'll be short on match fitness.
     
    minoo-utd said:
    Players have returned from injury ( Blind-Fellaini-Rojo-Shaw-Raf-Valencia ). Playing 3-5-2 will not be acceptable.
    Click to expand...
    Those players might not be matchfit yet. I'm talking about Blind, Fellaini, Rojo, Rafael. So it could be that we start with Valencia - Carrick - Rooney - Shaw in a 3-5-2.
     
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Man of the Match

Daley Blind image Daley Blind 35% of 670 votes

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Score Predictions

629,52,85
  • Man Utd win
  • Southampton win
  • Draw

Detailed Results

  • 27% Man Utd 2:1 Southampton
  • 17% Man Utd 3:1 Southampton
  • 16% Man Utd 2:0 Southampton
  • 8% Man Utd 3:0 Southampton
  • 6% Man Utd 1:1 Southampton
  • 5% Man Utd 1:0 Southampton
  • 4% Man Utd 1:2 Southampton
  • 3% Man Utd 2:2 Southampton
  • 3% Man Utd 3:2 Southampton
  • 2% Man Utd 4:1 Southampton
  • 2% Man Utd 5:0 Southampton
  • 2% Man Utd 0:0 Southampton
  • 1% Man Utd 4:0 Southampton
  • 1% Man Utd 0:2 Southampton
  • 1% Man Utd 1:3 Southampton
  • 1% Man Utd 0:1 Southampton
  • 1% Man Utd 4:2 Southampton
  • 0% Man Utd 5:1 Southampton
  • 0% Man Utd 5:4 Southampton
  • 0% Man Utd 0:3 Southampton
  • 0% Man Utd 2:3 Southampton
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Match Stats

  1. Man Utd
  2. Southampton
Possession
61% 39%
Shots
10 9
Shots on Target
0 1
Corners
3 5
Fouls
9 10

Referee

Phil Dowd

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