FA Premier League

Southampton 1:2 Manchester United

St. Mary's

Kick-off
Mon, 8 December 2014 @ 8:00pm GMT
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    Jerch said:
    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.
    Click to expand...
    Yes, if we win tomorrow the 8 points gap is definately reachable now that Chelsea, who haven't suffered from major injuries yet, got beat by Newcastle which gives us hope. Now let's get the Saints dealt with and gather momentum.
    It would be marvelous for the club and van Gaal specially to rise from a bad start to win the title.
     
    LR7 said:
    I didn't suggest any formation. I just don't want to see RvP and Falcao up top together.
    Click to expand...

    Certainly not yet especially since Rooney looks our main goal threat and Falcao is working his way back but Louis van Gaal is a massive fan of RVP, in his press conference for this very game he praised RVP's qualities as both a number 9 and number 10, he said he likes an attacking point that gets goals and is very creative.

    If RVP performs poor then obviously he won't be played but Louis van Gaal will give him every chance to play the role where he drops off and Falcao looks to get in behind.

    I think you might be left disappointed.
     
    Empire said:
    Certainly not yet especially since Rooney looks our main goal threat and Falcao is working his way back but Louis van Gaal is a massive fan of RVP, in his press conference for this very game he praised RVP's qualities as both a number 9 and number 10, he said he likes an attacking point that gets goals and is very creative.

    If RVP performs poor then obviously he won't be played but Louis van Gaal will give him every chance to play the role where he drops off and Falcao looks to get in behind.

    I think you might be left disappointed.
    Click to expand...
    They're great players and I like them all so I won't be disappointed. I just don't think we will play as well. I think LvG realised why his team was unbalanced to begin with so I'm not sure he will take backwards steps. We can maybe afford to play the three of them against some smaller teams.
     
    After the way results have gone for us this weekend, I'm far too excited for this fixture. I know I need to manage expectations as we're still very much a work in progress, but a win tomorrow would be colossal.
     
    All eyes on us tomorrow, every other team and there dog will be watching and I hope we make a statement and put in a good performance.
     
    We always seem to play terribly on Monday night games though for some reason so there is that to be concerned about. But there's no real reason why we can't win tomorrow. If City can win there then we can too.
     
    We need to win this match. West Ham are 3rd, and not getting a result in this match will mean that we'll lose the top 4 spot. Just like every other match, this one's vital for us to win. Victory in this match will allow us to possibly seal the top 4 spot and help us continue on in our good run.
     
    No point pining for Falcao to start.
    Theo Wallcott, Strootman both had ACL in January/Feb and only just returned.
    Victor Valdes had his ACL in March and is a month away at the earliest.
    Radamel Falcao was rushed back way too early before the world cup, even though he did not go to the WC, his body was not ready.
    I think his loan spell is destined to fail, as we may not see the best of Falcao by February at the earliest, by then it maybe to late to justify the quoted £48m transfer fee for a 28 year old.

    Even if the lads knee is fine, his body will not be ready to play an hour or a full 90 mins, anytime soon, his stamina and fitness maybe good, but chronic pains, strains, niggles will be persistent until his routine is back that of a fully fit professional athlete. I'd rather we have him on loan and then target Cavani next summer who can easily justify his fee with no history of injuries.
     
    Final predicted Line-up:

    _________________________________________________________________________

    1. De Gea

    25. Valencia 12. Smalling 5. Rojo 18. Young

    16. Carrick
    31. Fellaini 22. Herrera
    8. Mata

    49. Wilson 10. Rooney

    _________________________________________________________________________

    Bench:     13. Lindegaard, 6. Evans, 42. Blackett, 24. Fletcher, 44. Pereira, 11. Januzaj, 20. Van Persie

    Prediction:     Southampton 1-3 Man Utd (Rooney X2, Pellé, Wilson)​
     
    Papii Grande said:
    No point pining for Falcao to start.
    Theo Wallcott, Strootman both had ACL in January/Feb and only just returned.
    Victor Valdes had his ACL in March and is a month away at the earliest.
    Radamel Falcao was rushed back way too early before the world cup, even though he did not go to the WC, his body was not ready.
    I think his loan spell is destined to fail, as we may not see the best of Falcao by February at the earliest, by then it maybe to late to justify the quoted £48m transfer fee for a 28 year old.

    Even if the lads knee is fine, his body will not be ready to play an hour or a full 90 mins, anytime soon, his stamina and fitness maybe good, but chronic pains, strains, niggles will be persistent until his routine is back that of a fully fit professional athlete. I'd rather we have him on loan and then target Cavani next summer who can easily justify his fee with no history of injuries.
    Click to expand...
    I do agree that the feeling of Falcao loan dean failing. He needs to be playing in the reserves for a couple of weeks. He needs games. He won't shift RvP half fit even if rvp is only play at half rate. It's gutting to see though as we have a formidimal striker on our books, I really hope he can shake off the niggles and get back to his best, we will definitely need him for the second half of the season. Don't think United will do a permanent deal for him
     
    Big Dave
    Rafa Smalling Rojo Young
    Carrick
    Januzaj Hererra
    Mata
    Rooney Van Persie
    ​
    Rooney dropping deeper to create a diamond with carrick, Hererra and Mata. Using Januzaj for quick counter attacks.
    I think we'll play on the break as Southampton will push up high. Praying for a win but can see a score draw maybe 2-2.
    Both teams desperate for a win but desperate not to lose.
     
    I don't think Wilson did anything on Tuesday to justify starting tomorrow. I would much rather see RvP in there.
     
    Massive match, this one!

    Need to get it done on the road. This would be massive not only in terms of the table, but also for the confidence in the squad to win big matches on the road.

    Let's get it done!!!
     
    Dylan94 said:
    I don't think Wilson did anything on Tuesday to justify starting tomorrow. I would much rather see RvP in there.
    Click to expand...

    I dunno about anything. I was generally pretty impressed with him in a game where the forwards didn't get much service. Three really great individual runs with the ball, lots of good general ball work, and he showed that his pace will be a problem for defences in games where we attack with more intent. His only real error was the (admittedly pretty serious) failure to lay that ball off and give RVP a tap-in. But I like to see that single-mindedness and selfishness in #9s, it tends to make them good goalscorers. RVP certainly has it.

    Anyway, Van Persie scored a great goal against Hull and his performance was decent against Stoke, so for once I don't think he deserves to be dropped. I'd be equally happy with Mata behind RVP and Rooney or Rooney behind RVP and Wilson.

    EDIT: In case anyone's interested:

     
    Last edited:
    Pretty confident if im honest. certain to concede but i just think we physically have the firepower and the control in the middle of the park to rack up some goals here. something like a 3-1/2-1 scoreline wouldn't look out of place.
     
    I think this game is going to tell us a lot about this teams character. The expectation to win is back and Southampton are a formidable opponent. Its time for them to start putting the points in the bank.
     
    I think we'll see:

    Dave

    Valencia
    Smalling
    Rojo
    Young

    Carrick
    Fellaini
    Herrera
    Mata

    Rooney
    RVP

    Im hoping we can get another away win here, but i really dont know what to expect.
     
    Prediction:


    7_antonio_valencia_tiny.png
    ___
    13_michael_carrick_tiny.png

    22_marouane_fellaini_tiny.png
    ____
    9_ander_herrera_tiny.png


    __​
    Subs: Falcao, Wilson and Fletcher

    I was torn between starting Wilson and Mata and shifting Rooney but I have kept Wilson as an impact sub, I think he will come on for Mata later on and Falcao for Van Persie with Fletcher on for a midfielder as we tighten up and close out the game.
     
    De Gea
    Valencia Smalling Rojo Young
    Carrick
    Mata Herrera
    Fellaini
    Rooney RVP/Falcao
    ​
    1. Southampton are going to press us high up the field almost constantly so we need our players most comfortable with passing under pressure further back, thats why I think Herrera and Mata should be joining Carrick there.

    2. The key battle to this game will be against their DM Wanyama. Him and Schneiderlin have been a completely solid force in that position for them, and the main reason behind their watertight defense. 1/2 of the combination is out for the match, but the other half is going to cause us trouble. For that reason I feel we should play Fellaini higher up the pitch to deal with him 1 on 1, he's the only player I think we have that can match him in strength and aerial prowess and so will be key to any breakthrough we make.

    3. From the sounds of LVG's comments he's still not confident about Falcao's match fitness or is being cautious about him getting more injuries, so I think RVP is the more likely of the two to start.
     
    Last edited:
    Is Jack Cork injured as well? How about Alderweireld? Could be looking at a well starved Saints XI tonight.
     
    I think it will be the first 11 from the Hull match.
    If S'ton press high then it makes sense to push Felaini up front to have a big target to aim at. And with Mata, Herera, Felaini and Rooney abel to play acros the midfield interchanging should'nt be a problem.
    I reckon RvP is due a brace.
     
    Dylan94 said:
    I don't think Wilson did anything on Tuesday to justify starting tomorrow. I would much rather see RvP in there.
    Click to expand...

    And van persie did? Falcao did?

    I think Wilson would play better with rooney alongside him.

    But van persie will be the one that starts.
     
    Last edited:
    Oo0AahCantona said:
    Pretty confident if im honest. certain to concede but i just think we physically have the firepower and the control in the middle of the park to rack up some goals here. something like a 3-1/2-1 scoreline wouldn't look out of place.
    Click to expand...
    I said it before in this thread that they've scored only once in their last three games and four in last five. And they were left goalless against the rock solid Arsenal defense. [/sarcasm]

    I think the biggest thread at the moment to concede against Southampton is coming from their full backs. Clyne and Bertrand.
     
    Have to win tonight, no doubt about it. We'd be up to third and beat the dippers next weekend and we'd be well and truly on our way to securing a top four finish :drool:

    Can see this one being like the Arsenal game, Saints will come at us full force and we hit them on the break. Would like to see Januzaj start this one but leaving ourselves short on defensive players in midfield.
     
    Last edited:
    This is going to be a pretty tough test for our 4-3-1-2 diamond. Southampton like to attack from the wings a lot, either with their FBs overlapping or with the long diagonal balls from the midfield towards the wingers. The diamond has the risk of getting our FBs isolated and there is always the issue with the energy levels of Herrera and Fellaini who will have to both track back and provide options up front.

    Another big issue is Pelle, since Vidic started declining we have always had huge problems with this type of forwards who are physical and can receive the ball with their backs on goal in order to bring others into play. I bet we're going to see a lot of that from Southampton tonight.

    I'm also interested to see our choices to defend set pieces. The obvious choices are Fellaini on Pelle and Smalling on Fonte but the fact that Fellaini was caught napping in Chelsea's goal and that Smalling loses concentration at times maybe will lead LvG to put someone like RvP to cover our near post.
     
    Ideally if we beat both the Saint and the Pool then there would be no need for spending big in January for a defender.

    If we draw both games or worse dropping to 6th or 7th, there goes Hummel or Godin
     
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Post-match discussion

Man of the Match

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

Runners-up

Player Ratings

5.6 Total Average Rating

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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

Substitutes

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