FA Premier League

Southampton 1:2 Manchester United

St. Mary's

Kick-off
Mon, 8 December 2014 @ 8:00pm GMT
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    Missed all the football at the weekend but talk about brilliant results for our campaign from Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea. A win is more that achievable on Monday which will leave us sitting in 3rd place before our festive run of games, very pleased.

    Also after the Southampton game we'll have most if not all of our squad back, good times ahead
     
    Trizy said:
    Missed all the football at the weekend but talk about brilliant results for our campaign from Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea. A win is more that achievable on Monday which will leave us sitting in 3rd place before our festive run of games, very pleased.

    Also after the Southampton game we'll have most if not all of our squad back, good times ahead
    Click to expand...

    For how long, though? :nervous:
     
    LVG is saying the right things, he is disgusted with transfer talk. I think Moyes tried to win over the fans by saying he needs new players (and thus helped his own downfall in doing so), but LVG has the luxury of new players so can concentrate on instilling confidence in the squad. With all the injuries though, it must have been tempting to talk about new signings. Both Ed and LVG have come out publicly and shot down talk about january signings and it's probably the right thing to do.

    I've no doubt we will try to stifle the game through possession again, and I feel confident we should get something out of this game, much more confident than earlier in the season. Despite our ridiculous injuries, we have quality right through the squad and a manager who can get the best out of them. I think Falcao should start because as much promise as Wilson has, I don't think he imposed himself enough in the game against Stoke, maybe needs more time to gel with the rest of the squad before starting games. I would like to see him as a super sub maybe, fast pace against tiring defensive legs. Having Rooney back is a plus, hopefully he won't go into a post injury slump. Di Maria still being out is a blow, but Fellaini being out would be a bigger blow at this point. Never thought I'd ever be saying that.
     
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    Clirim said:
    I'm sure he can play 60 minutes by now, dont you think?
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    Its possible, but improbable.
    Every week, fans keep stating that they he will start and I keep stating that he is injured.
    Remember, he hasn't played a full 90 minute game in God knows how long.
    It is important to note that he has not yet recovered from a (ACL) injury which happens to be the most serious injury a footballer can suffer (heart attack or concussion, excepted).
    LvG tried to bring back Falcao slowly, at the start of the season and failed - Falcao got injured. So, he is now having a 2nd try.
    Logically, his playing time will be increased slowly, not quickly. 20 minutes against Stoke, to 60 minutes vs Southampton is too big a jump.
    60 minutes would be a risk.
     
    sunama said:
    Its possible, but improbable.
    Every week, fans keep stating that they he will start and I keep stating that he is injured.
    Remember, he hasn't played a full 90 minute game in God knows how long.
    It is important to note that he has not yet recovered from a (ACL) injury which happens to be the most serious injury a footballer can suffer (heart attack or concussion, excepted).
    LvG tried to bring back Falcao slowly, at the start of the season and failed - Falcao got injured. So, he is now having a 2nd try.
    Logically, his playing time will be increased slowly, not quickly. 20 minutes against Stoke, to 60 minutes vs Southampton is too big a jump.
    60 minutes would be a risk.
    Click to expand...
    It's not only matches that can get you fit you know, it will be almost a week since the stoke match tomorrow so there has been efficient time to get even fitter.. and i'm sure Falcao isn't too fond of these 15-20 minute appearances. On the ACL injury, it's been almost a whole year since he suffered it. he should be back by now and Van Gaal has stated numerous times that he suffered a calf injury and it has nothing to do with the ACL. He started games before the calf injury which makes me think that his recent cameos are a result of recovering from a calf injury. I am convinced he is ready to start. Maybe not yet ready for 90 mins but 45-60 mins should be an acceptable expectation.
     
    Clirim said:
    Can i ask where you find these videos? i constantly look for fan footage but i can't seem to find them. Would be much appreciated
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    There used to be one guy who posts fan atmosphere during games on his Youtube channel. Now he is not posting on youtube because of copy rights issue from EPL. However he is using his Vimeo page. You can find on his facebook page too. Google "Tel and Benjie"

    Thanks to him, People outside UK will enjoy those. Even Gary Neville tweeted one of his videos recently.
     
    sunama said:
    Its possible, but improbable.
    Every week, fans keep stating that they he will start and I keep stating that he is injured.
    Remember, he hasn't played a full 90 minute game in God knows how long.
    It is important to note that he has not yet recovered from a (ACL) injury which happens to be the most serious injury a footballer can suffer (heart attack or concussion, excepted).
    LvG tried to bring back Falcao slowly, at the start of the season and failed - Falcao got injured. So, he is now having a 2nd try.
    Logically, his playing time will be increased slowly, not quickly. 20 minutes against Stoke, to 60 minutes vs Southampton is too big a jump.
    60 minutes would be a risk.
    Click to expand...
    Falcao got injured in training so I think there was no failure in bringing him back, just bad luck.
     
    Massive game for us tomorrow. Imperative that we win. In the context of an entire season we could look back at this game as a turning point for better or worse.
     
    MrMancunianRed said:
    There used to be one guy who posts fan atmosphere during games on his Youtube channel. Now he is not posting on youtube because of copy rights issue from EPL. However he is using his Vimeo page. You can find on his facebook page too. Google "Tel and Benjie"

    Thanks to him, People outside UK will enjoy those. Even Gary Neville tweeted one of his videos recently.
    Click to expand...
    Ahh, I could kiss you :drool: thanks a lot much appreciated :D
     
    A few weeks back I would have been happy with a draw in this match but with our current form and the fact the saints have lost their two best midfielders makes me believe anything but a win will be hugely disappointing. Given the results this weekend have also been favorable this is a real chance to cement a position in the top four.

    I think we will win 1-2 or 1-3.
     
    I'm buzzing for this, got my ticket and can't wait to get into yates now and start drinking and singing.
     
    Our confidence should be really high whilst theirs will be shot at the moment. Let's go after them from the first minute and put them under pressure and we should have too much for them. I'm going for a convincing 3-1 win.
     
    Took Sakho and Hutton out of my fantasy team this week and they both scored.Took Pelle out too.:nervous:
     
    Getting nervous for tomorrow. it's so important we win this... Agree with another poster on here that we need to fly out of the blocks as the whistle goes and put them under pressure asap. But whatever we do, let's come out with a win and 3rd place:drool:
     
    MrMancunianRed said:
    There used to be one guy who posts fan atmosphere during games on his Youtube channel. Now he is not posting on youtube because of copy rights issue from EPL. However he is using his Vimeo page. You can find on his facebook page too. Google "Tel and Benjie"

    Thanks to him, People outside UK will enjoy those. Even Gary Neville tweeted one of his videos recently.
    Click to expand...
    Nice find mate. Good Vimeo page that.
     
    Sky1981 said:
    If we win this, it'll be a very important win. I do hope we win it. The momentum will be great. -2 points of 2nd. Lose this and we'll be back on 5th or 6th and lose the momentum
    Click to expand...
    Exactly. It's a huge game, because if we win I believe this will be a boost for our confidence.
     
    CM21 said:
    So much went right for us yesterday:
    • Chelsea lost
    • Aguero injured
    • Arsenal lost
    • Liverpool drew
    Before this I would have have taken a draw but we must capitalize now.
    Click to expand...
    Can say the same about Soton as well though!
     
    This will be a huge test tomorrow for us. The returning Wayne Rooney could be key whilst Southamptons injuries could hit them hard. Will be a tight game with us edging it 2-1 I reckon.
     
    Two up front is overkill in a match like this. It'll be won or lost in midfield.

    Maybe if we had two functioning strikers things would be different but, as it stands, we have more in-form midfielders than forwards. 4-3-3 is the way to go.
     
    Why would ppl want to see Evans starting after we seem to have found a good partnership in Rojo and Smalling?
     
    Dante said:
    Two up front is overkill in a match like this. It'll be won or lost in midfield.

    Maybe if we had two functioning strikers things would be different but, as it stands, we have more in-form midfielders than forwards. 4-3-3 is the way to go.
    Click to expand...

    Who would you play out wide since Angel di Maria is injured and we need Ashley Lahm in defence?
     
    Empire said:
    Who would you play out wide since Angel di Maria is injured and we need Ashley Lahm in defence?
    Click to expand...
    Wilson and Mata as the "wide" men; Rooney up top; Herrera, Carrick and Fellaini in midfield. It'd be a packed, physical midfield, with pace and creativity on the break.

    Young and Valencia will give us all the width we need. Don't force Herrera/Fellaini to do that.
     
    Just 24 hours until kick-off... The most - if not only - positive thing with a kick-off on a Monday night is that the weekend passes by reeeal slowly.
    After an almost perfect weekend for us, we just have to grab this chance and get back to the third place. We have finally, after a year or so, started to looking like a team who can become champions (not saying we're gonna win the league!) - getting three points even if we're playing badly.
    And these are the team I'm expecting to see:

    Forster
    Clyne - Fonte - Yoshida - Bertrand
    Davis - Wanyama
    Long - Mane - Tadic
    Pellé

    Rooney - van Persie
    Mata
    Herrera - Fellaini
    Young-----Carrick-----Valencia
    Rojo - Smalling
    De Gea
    ​
    I'm going with van Persie because he usually scores against Southampton. Five in six matches. Even though I rather see Shaw and Rafael on the flanks, I must admit I've been impressed with both Valencia and Young lately, so I wouldn't mind see them in the starting XI once again.

    1-2. Rooney and van Persie with the winner!
     
    Hope we don't start playing Falcao and RvP up top with Rooney in behind again. Starting the three of them together (plus ADM in midfield) was a big part of the reason the team was unbalanced early on. LvG has gone a long way towards correcting that lately, so I hope we don't go the other way again. I see nothing to suggest he's thinking like that anyway. Great players they may be but shoehorning them all into the same line-up is overkill. I think we should only start Falcao or RvP with Rooney deeper. Not both. If we are considering starting both it shouldn't be against the likes of Southampton who aren't mugs.

    Got a feeling Rafa will be back (I'll be buzzing if he is). Hope our players are well and truly up for this game. I hope they grasp the opportunity.
     
    Last edited:
    LR7 said:
    Hope we don't start playing Falcao and RvP up top with Rooney in behind again. Starting the three of them together (plus ADM in midfield) was a big part of the reason the team was unbalanced early on. LvG has gone a long way towards correcting that lately, so I hope we don't go the other way again. I see nothing to suggest he's thinking like that anyway. Great players they maybe but shoehorning them all into the same line-up is overkill. Ok think we should only start Falcao or RvP with Rooney deeper. Not both. If we are considering starting both it shouldn't be against the likes of Southampton who aren't mugs.

    Got a feeling Rafa will be back (I'll be buzzing if he is). Hope our players are well and truly up for this game. I hope they grasp the opportunity.
    Click to expand...

    Are you suggesting we play 4-3-3 or Mata behind in the diamond?
     
    Just in case if nobody said it already. IF we win against Southampton they will be out of top 4. A few weeks ago there were so many people saying that they don't see Southampton dropping out of top four till the end of the season.

    Ontopic this is one of the most important games of the season for me. Not because of the opponent but because we can go to third place if we win it. The same place Woodward was saying that we are expecting in the begining of the season. On top of that if we win we will be "just" 8 points behind Chelsea and 5 behind City. City just lost Aguero and i can see them strugling without him. And as we all know 8 points is not to big lead especially in december.
     
    Without di Maria, and a slightly out of form Januzaj, I would be very surprised if we revert to a winger system for this game unless we find ourselfs needing a tactical change beyond half-time. We have 4 strikers and 2 number 10's fit. More than likely we will play the same way we have been playing. Two up top for me. Boss the midfield and put on early pressure on them to silence the crowd. Team spirit seems high and they look like they are enjoying themselves. Rooney to come in for Wilson and Falcao to start off the bench i recon. I have a sneaky feeling Rafael may come in for this game if deemed fit though.


    __________De Gea_____________
    Valencia__Smalling__Rojo__Young
    ___________Carrick____________
    _____Fellaini________Mata______
    ____________Herrera___________
    ______RvP__________Rooney(c)__


    Fellaini will play a big role in getting possession from the likes of Wanyama. He will be their presence in midfield. If he is kept quiet and doesn't win the ball off our midfield I think Southampton will be negated in midfield. Young will have his work cut out for him with a very good an inform Clyne attacking down our left hand side. Shane long will be an outlet for them on the break as hes quick and has an eye for a pass and will also score. That left side is potentially an area of weakness that can/will be exploited by Southampton. If doubled up Rojo can assist Young out on the left and Carrick will occupy the CB position seeing us revert to a flat 442 momentarily.

    Rooney will be a key man in this game for me, his creativity, finishing and ability to find space will important for us if Soton decide they will play us on the break. I expect even more from RvP than he has been showing and hope that his record against the Saints will continue to be fruitful. I think Soton will be out of gas and our players a bit fitter than them having that our squad has been heavily rotated during the season where as their squad hasn't.

    If we find ourselves behind i suspect Adnan and Falcao will replace RvP and one of Mata/Herrera. Falcao to add some aggression and more movement upfront and Adnan to add more pace to threaten tired legs. I think we will make a silly mistake and concede. But I am going for a 1-3 victory. The lads will be up for this and Van Gaal would have drilled them well with a proper game plan.

    RvP x 2
    Rooney x 1

    Long x 1
     
    MrMancunianRed said:
    There used to be one guy who posts fan atmosphere during games on his Youtube channel. Now he is not posting on youtube because of copy rights issue from EPL. However he is using his Vimeo page. You can find on his facebook page too. Google "Tel and Benjie"

    Thanks to him, People outside UK will enjoy those. Even Gary Neville tweeted one of his videos recently.
    Click to expand...
    Thanks for this. Used to watch him on YouTube and wondered where what happened.
     
    Roosney said:
    Well I finally bought Aguero and made him the captain. Who do you want sidelined next week?
    Click to expand...
    Would be quite pleasable if hazard suffered a hazardous(:lol:) injury which conveniently rules him out for a few months, preferably not career threatening as losing a talent like him would be quite a shame.
     
    With all the results that have gone our way this weekend, this is now a bigger game than it already was, and to not win this game now would be a big disappointment. This is a real opportunity we've got tomorrow to climb up to 3rd, make some noise, and put some distance between ourselves and other teams in the top 10.
     
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Post-match discussion

Man of the Match

Robin Van Persie image Robin Van Persie 82% of 810 votes

Runners-up

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Score Predictions

567,59,130
  • Man Utd win
  • Southampton win
  • Draw

Detailed Results

  • 31% Southampton 1:2 Man Utd
  • 16% Southampton 1:3 Man Utd
  • 12% Southampton 0:2 Man Utd
  • 9% Southampton 1:1 Man Utd
  • 6% Southampton 2:2 Man Utd
  • 5% Southampton 0:1 Man Utd
  • 4% Southampton 2:3 Man Utd
  • 3% Southampton 2:1 Man Utd
  • 3% Southampton 0:3 Man Utd
  • 2% Southampton 0:0 Man Utd
  • 1% Southampton 0:5 Man Utd
  • 1% Southampton 1:4 Man Utd
  • 1% Southampton 3:1 Man Utd
  • 1% Southampton 2:0 Man Utd
  • 1% Southampton 1:0 Man Utd
  • 1% Southampton 0:4 Man Utd
  • 1% Southampton 2:4 Man Utd
  • 1% Southampton 5:0 Man Utd
  • 0% Southampton 3:0 Man Utd
  • 0% Southampton 3:2 Man Utd
  • 0% Southampton 3:4 Man Utd
  • 0% Southampton 3:5 Man Utd
  • 0% Southampton 4:0 Man Utd
  • 0% Southampton 4:1 Man Utd
  • 0% Southampton 4:5 Man Utd
Compiled from 756 predictions.
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Match Stats

  1. Southampton
  2. Man Utd
Possession
52% 48%
Shots
15 3
Shots on Target
4 2
Corners
5 1
Fouls
12 9

Referee

Kevin Friend

Man Utd Lineup

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