FA Premier League

Southampton 1:2 Manchester United

St. Mary's

Kick-off
Mon, 8 December 2014 @ 8:00pm GMT
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    This has 0-0 bore draw written all over it IMO.

    If we go with the same tactics we played at arsenal it'll be a boring match.
     
    They only conceded 4 goals in 7 games at home but they have problems in midfield with injuries. I'd love to see us play wingers in this game but with Di Maria out this seems unlikely.

    Maybe 4-1-4-1 is a good formation for this game:

    De Gea
    Valencia Smalling Rojo Blackett
    Carrick
    Herrera Fellaini Mata Januzaj
    Rooney​
     
    Official match-day poster for today's game against Saints (Southampton) :D

    B4UcoRyIEAA38Tq.png
     
    Shame we couldn't go into this game still in the top 4. I think there could be a pressure to climb back in. It will be a tough game, but I think we should get a win. Southampton looked a bit useless going forward against Arsenal, although they will probably approach the game differently at home. Their last 3 games could indicate that they are running out of steam.

    A win would be a great result, and to go into the Liverpool fixture with form of 5 wins on the bounce would be excellent.

    I hope we don't make the usual Darren Fletcher substitute late on.
     
    Massive chance today (and next Sunday) to distance ourselves from our main rivals (Arsenal, Liverpool) and actually push on from there. Hope Rooney is in top form after being out last week.
     
    OnlyTwoDaSilvas said:
    Shame we couldn't go into this game still in the top 4. I think there could be a pressure to climb back in. It will be a tough game, but I think we should get a win. Southampton looked a bit useless going forward against Arsenal, although they will probably approach the game differently at home. Their last 3 games could indicate that they are running out of steam.

    A win would be a great result, and to go into the Liverpool fixture with form of 5 wins on the bounce would be excellent.

    I hope we don't make the usual Darren Fletcher substitute late on.
    Click to expand...

    Haha don't remind me! Hopefully the game is done and dusted by the time that happens
     
    SirAF said:
    No complaints as long as we snatch a win..
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    True, 3 points is the primary objective in that tricky away game. I would rather like to see free flowing extravagant all guns blazing style of football against the dippers on Sunday. ;)
     
    Really need this. I absolutely hate Monday games though. I've no idea why but we always seem to struggle with Monday games especially if we know our rivals have failed over the weekend.

    I'd like us to start with the same starting 11 as we did last time out. Get some consistency going and let the lads gel.
     
    I can't remember a game vs Southampton that's had this much significance. I'm quietly confident we'll pick up the three points though.
     
    Stretch said:
    Really need this. I absolutely hate Monday games though. I've no idea why but we always seem to struggle with Monday games especially if we know our rivals have failed over the weekend.

    I'd like us to start with the same starting 11 as we did last time out. Get some consistency going and let the lads gel.
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    so you wouldn't play Rooney?
     
    Stretch said:
    Really need this. I absolutely hate Monday games though. I've no idea why but we always seem to struggle with Monday games especially if we know our rivals have failed over the weekend.

    I'd like us to start with the same starting 11 as we did last time out. Get some consistency going and let the lads gel.
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    I love Monday games, but I fecking hate away matches :lol: I always have a bad feeling when we are playing away.
     
    A draw wouldn't be a bad result. A win would be massive, though. I'm predicting a 1-1 draw myself.
     
    mufc1996 said:
    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.
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    RvP is established and experienced and can score goals from nowhere. He doesn't have to prove himself in every game that he plays now to warrant starting the next unlike Wilson. I'd take him in a game like this without thinking about it even if he hadn't scored for 10 games.
     
    Is Rooney likely to start? The way Southampton have played and judging by our approach at Arsenal we are likely to sit back and hit them on the counter. Di Maria's absence is a big loss because we need that pace to play on the counter attack effectively. Rooney is good at playing on the break so hopefully he is available.

    Should be a cracking atmosphere in the away end tonight given the amount of teams who dropped points around us on Saturday. We could see another away atmosphere along the lines of Blackburn away in April 2012.
     
    RoyoftheRavers said:
    Is Rooney likely to start? The way Southampton have played and judging by our approach at Arsenal we are likely to sit back and hit them on the counter. Di Maria's absence is a big loss because we need that pace to play on the counter attack effectively. Rooney is good at playing on the break so hopefully he is available.

    Should be a cracking atmosphere in the away end tonight given the amount of teams who dropped points around us on Saturday. We could see another away atmosphere along the lines of Blackburn away in April 2012.
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    One of the loudest in recent years
     
    This game is extremly important.
    A win and we are third, with Southampton and West Ham in 4th and 5th, and they will probably fall further down as we enter the late stages of the tournament.
    If we win, and then beat Liverpool next game, we are in a good position before the christmas program.
    A loss for either City or Chelsea will then have us breathing up their neck.

    Hope to see :
    -----------------DeGea---------------
    Rafael*---Smalling-Rojo-----Young
    --------------Carrick----------------
    ----Fellaini---Herrera----Mata-----
    ----------Rooney------------------
    ----------------Falcao*-----------

    *if fit and ready for 90 minutes, if not Valencia and RVP take their places, and Falcao comes in as a sub.

    Southampton has an little injury crisis themself, so if we play our best we should beat them. My guess is 2-1 in favor of us.
     
    We are in for a tough game tonight. If we were offered a draw now, I would probably take it. I certainly don't envisage a classic, 1-1 for me.
     
    I’m afraid that we’ll be back playing 3-5-2 tonight in order to lock the wings with Young and Valencia. This tactic, the one we used at Arsenal, is good for countering opponents and we’ll have to be solid to resist, but knowing the fact that S’ton are a fantastic side, it’s gonna be very hard.

    -----------------------------------------De Gea--------------------------------------------

    --------------------Evans------------Smalling---------------Rojo----------------------

    Valencia---------------------Carrick--------Herrera----------------------------Young

    -----------------------------------------Fellaini----------------------------------------------

    ---------------------------------Rooney------Van Persie----------------------------------

    Subs : Lindegaard, Mata, Falcao, Januzaj, Mc Nair, Blackett, Wilson
     
    I can’t believe the negativity regarding this fixture.

    Yes Southampton have started the season very well, better than us.

    Yes they look very organised.

    Yes they are at home.

    Yes we have yet to look anything close to convincing.

    However, having said all of that they maybe have one player in Clyne that would get in our team. We have a tactical sound manager and we are beginning to look a lot more organised and understanding of what he wants. We should expect nothing less than a win from the game tonight and I fully anticipate us to get it. Rooney will come in for Wilson and that will be about it. I don’t think that they have a particular player or strength that means we need to change our system to accommodate. We should be going there and with the likes of Carrick, Herrera, Mata and Rooney dominate possession, dictate the pace of the play and create chances.

    I think Smalling and Rojo will be both keen to put performances in which cement there places in the team. With Di Maria, Blind, Shaw, Falcao, Januzaj, Rafa Wilson and Evans all desperate to get on / nearing a return we have a lot of players playing for their place in the team. We have had a full weeks preparation with no distractions and for the first time in about 2 years we have a bit of consistancy in team selection.

    I am expecting our best performance to date. LVG will come out post match with a bit of a rallying cry in preparation for the scousers and busy xmas period and our momentum will go forward. Form team based on results in the league.

    Southampton 0 – United 3.

    PMA!!!!
     
    This is potentially the match which gonna clearly tell us where the team is in terms of all three aspects of their game I.e. how we defend, control the tempo of the match and how clinical we are in attack. Soton will press us high up the field and they gonna go about their own business like they always have done, I don't see them implementing negative tactics to try stop us from playing. The problem will be whether we gonna be able to cope with their high pressing game like City did. Against City they were pretty much in control of the game until city slowly managed to impose their game to them, Yaya Toure was a huge part of that. For us carrick will be vital if we are to win the midfield battle, preferably Fellaini would be of great use up top to try and break down their attack as they, same as us, like to build from the back. It will be interesting to see how we setup to play them, I'd think we'll try to counter attack as much as we can while at the same time try to contain them. It's a doable job considering the personnel in attacking areas of their side but we must make sure we move the ball quickly enough into attacking areas after retaining it. My prediction is we gonna win, knowing LVG and his attention to details, he gonna find pockets of weakness in their team and will effectively set us up to counter them. It's going to look quite easy in exploring them as long as we keep them out for as long as possible our playing style will do much to frustrate, knowing their naivety the rest will just fall into place.
     
    It's horrible playing on a Monday night. Watching everyone play on Saturday and Sunday, the wait is horrible. Can't wait for the game now. Leaving in about 2 hours. I predict a 3-1 win for us.
     
    gonzy said:
    This is potentially the match which gonna clearly tell us where the team is in terms of all three aspects of their game I.e. how we defend, control the tempo of the match and how clinical we are in attack. Soton will press us high up the field and they gonna go about their own business like they always have done, I don't see them implementing negative tactics to try stop us from playing. The problem will be whether we gonna be able to cope with their high pressing game like City did. Against City they were pretty much in control of the game until city slowly managed to impose their game to them, Yaya Toure was a huge part of that. For us carrick will be vital if we are to win the midfield battle, preferably Fellaini would be of great use up top to try and break down their attack as they, same as us, like to build from the back. It will be interesting to see how we setup to play them, I'd think we'll try to counter attack as much as we can while at the same time try to contain them. It's a doable job considering the personnel in attacking areas of their side but we must make sure we move the ball quickly enough into attacking areas after retaining it. My prediction is we gonna win, knowing LVG and his attention to details, he gonna find pockets of weakness in their team and will effectively set us up to counter them. It's going to look quite easy in exploring them as long as we keep them out for as long as possible our playing style will do much to frustrate, knowing their naivety the rest will just fall into place.
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    I agree with a fair bit of this. Especially the importance of Carrick getting on the ball and keeping the ball. With this in mind (and again agreeing with you) id switch Herrera and Fellaini. With Herrera deeper we have 3 players in Carrick, Mata and Herrera who are all very comfortable on the ball and wont panic when pressed. Playing fellaini in the No.10 also gives us the option of missing out the opposition midfield pressing high and pinging a ball into his chest and thus allowing Herrera, Mata and Rooney the opportunity to break off him.

    I don’t however see it as a marker. I fully expect us to win and keep a clean sheet. If we do just that I won’t think “United are back, we can challenge”, equally if we get beat I wont then see Southampton as a better side and top 4 to be a struggle. We are picking up points without the performaces at the moment, sooner or later and we can see it coming in period we’ll gel and put in a performance too. Aided by a consistent selection and a bit of confidence I think that tonight might well be the night.

    Managers like Fergie, Mourinho and LVG know the importance of putting out a statement and with every team watching us tonight, ahead of Liverpool, ahead of Christmas, the players will be fully aware that a performance and a result will do wonders for us.
     
    Last edited:
    Dylan94 said:
    RvP is established and experienced and can score goals from nowhere. He doesn't have to prove himself in every game that he plays now to warrant starting the next unlike Wilson. I'd take him in a game like this without thinking about it even if he hadn't scored for 10 games.
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    I don't care if he's established and experience, he's still got to prove himself every time he plays and he hasn't done that all season.

    But this doesn't matter because he's going to start today anyway.
     
    Shall be hiding in the Kingslands, 2-0 win for United! Monday games are always nervey but Saints form hasn't exactly been on the up.
     
    Just wondering with LVG going on in the media about Falcao only being able to play 20 minutes per game, if he's being a little devious and planning to start Falcao? The question then is who gives way in the lineup...RVP or Wilson...
     
    Dylan94 said:
    RvP is established and experienced and can score goals from nowhere. He doesn't have to prove himself in every game that he plays now to warrant starting the next unlike Wilson. I'd take him in a game like this without thinking about it even if he hadn't scored for 10 games.
    Click to expand...

    Definitely agree with this bit. He demonstrated against Hull that he can be having a poor game but score a goal out of nowhere. Would definitely give him the nod over Wilson too.
     
    ^ Kevin Friend.

    Also would not be surprised to see three at the back tonight. Smalling-Evans-Rojo flanked by Valencia and Young, Carrick, Herrera and Mata then Rooney and RVP. Don't think the afro'd one is going to make it.
     
    Zoo said:
    Who's the ref tonight?
    Click to expand...
    Kevin Friend. Last refereed our game against Everton. Gave them a pen but apparently also gave some decisions our way 'cos Martinez wasn't happy with him, saying he cost Everton a point.
     
    Huge game that could define our season IMO. Win here and we find ourselves 5 points off 2nd and 8 points off 1st, still massive underdogs but nearly title contenders. What's even more important is that we will be 3rd, 5 points ahead of Arsenal who are our closest top 4 rivals IMO, 7 ahead of Liverpool and Tottenham and 10 ahead of Everton. I'd argue that with a win here we'd be more in the battle for 1st than 4th, especially if we could build on that in the next few games.

    Draw or lose and top will still be pretty much out of question and the gap between us and other top 4 contenders won't be big enough to feel comfortable either.
     
    This should be the start of our season. Other teams have given us a lot of opportunities. Cant afford to miss this chance.. Should Win this match and next one against Liverpool..
     
    I hate us playing on Monday nights as you just know the whole league is watching, seeing as they've all played. That and we are usually shite on Mondays.

    Hopefully we get a convincing win and go into the Liverpool game as confident as possible.
     
    5am start for me and a busy day at work tomorrow. I think I will miss this one.
     
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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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