FA Premier League

Southampton 1:2 Manchester United

St. Mary's

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Mon, 8 December 2014 @ 8:00pm GMT
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Discussion Live Updates 56 Your Lineup Prediction

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    FacerTheRed said:
    1159777_Manchester_United.jpg


    I would pick this team, if Rooney is announced he is fully fit ill put him in the whole with RVP & Falcao up front. Herrera against stoke wasnt that impressive, his touches & ball control were terrible at times and he struggle to move the ball quick enough and put a pass in.

    Whereas Mata, who even played more of a deeper role played brilliant. Ball control and first touch was top notch, kept the ball very well even when under pressure, put in some vital passes in the final third when moving forward and of course got the winning goal (even though it is up in debate that it was his goal). The rest however i think picks for itself, Felliani for his physicality and form and the back four same as last game but with Rafael back from injury.
    Click to expand...

    Very strong team, but I'd like Herrera from start even though he wasn't very good last match. I'd also like to see Rooney on top with either Wilson or Falcao(depends on form), RvP on the bench for once...Then Mata behind the 2 strikers. Hopefully Januzaj can get some playtime too soon, he really needs it.
     
    Sorry , i must have missed something... why does everyone think Fellaini is out?
     
    DomesticTadpole said:
    Because they couldn't see him on the training pictures. However the manager never mentioned about any injury.
    Click to expand...


    Rather odd that Journos did not think it necessary to ask LvG if he was injured, if he truly was not training today. I am sure that would have been in the news somewhere. Hope he is fit because we would need him against that Wanyama lad
     
    Pexbo said:
    I assume by "until now" you mean in the last couple of games that Smalling has played?

    If so its not that they haven't pressed the defence, it's that Carrick has dropped deep to give options while the two defenders push the ball wide initially and the fullbacks offer an option wide, the LCM and ECM then fall back into shape and there is various "outs" available and with the shape we hold the triangles are there for us to shift it around and start an attack.

    Because of the way we do this it makes it incredibly risky for the opposition to press the defence as it leves them wide open in the middle and that's exactly what LVG wants.
    Click to expand...

    You are right about it being risky to press our defenders when we form those triangles with Carrick, but I always thought Southampton play a very high (even higher than usual) defensive line just so that they can start pressing even higher up the pitch. With a high defensive line, the amount of space for our midfield will be congested and even they will be under pressure if Carrick finds them. But without schneiderlin I doubt Southampton have a recovery player. I think a lot would depend on Mata and Herrera's vision to pick out the runs of our forwards quickly if at all Southampton press high and fast. ADM would have been ideal for this game as a forward actually.
     
    detinUnaM said:
    You are right about it being risky to press our defenders when we form those triangles with Carrick, but I always thought Southampton play a very high (even higher than usual) defensive line just so that they can start pressing even higher up the pitch. With a high defensive line, the amount of space for our midfield will be congested and even they will be under pressure if Carrick finds them. But without schneiderlin I doubt Southampton have a recovery player. I think a lot would depend on Mata and Herrera's vision to pick out the runs of our forwards quickly if at all Southampton press high and fast. ADM would have been ideal for this game as a forward actually.
    Click to expand...

    They certainly didn't against Arsenal. They played a remarkably deep line.
     
    Roosney said:
    They also pressed with 3 to 4 men high up at times, so who knows.
    Click to expand...

    They pressed, yes, but their defensive line was deep not high. It worked well, too, really limited Sanchez and Oxlade-Chamberlain's ability to use their pace until the red card.
     
    Even though Southampton have lost their last two matches and didn't look that great on the attack, I somehow feel that we may lose this match, though not due to us playing poorly, but due to Southampton being the more motivated, energetic, willing team. Koeman will really motivate them to get back on track particularly against van Gaal, and who better to beat than Man. Utd.?
     
    mazhar13 said:
    Even though Southampton have lost their last two matches and didn't look that great on the attack, I somehow feel that we may lose this match, though not due to us playing poorly, but due to Southampton being the more motivated, energetic, willing team. Koeman will really motivate them to get back on track particularly against van Gaal, and who better to beat than Man. Utd.?
    Click to expand...
    Well yea, if they can get the ball off us and in those small spells use it efficiently, they will struggle in both respects even with a full compliment. A giant slice of luck is likely their best bet so you can't rule any result out, but come on, if you don't think Van Gaal will have his own personal reasons for an extra motivational speech then you need to look at both coaches past history.
    This ones not just about Southampton V United.
    xbS0Pnq.jpg



    It's about who comes out on top.
     
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    mazhar13 said:
    Even though Southampton have lost their last two matches and didn't look that great on the attack, I somehow feel that we may lose this match, though not due to us playing poorly, but due to Southampton being the more motivated, energetic, willing team. Koeman will really motivate them to get back on track particularly against van Gaal, and who better to beat than Man. Utd.?
    Click to expand...


    out of curiosity, why is it you think Koeman can motivate his players any better than Van Gaal can his. I have no doubt our players will be up for this match especially since Rooney is back. We have a fresher squad than Southampton and got an extra days rest. They just spent themselves against Gunners, i think we shall be more energetic. We have the chance to go third in the table since lord knows when if we beat them, i think that in itself is more motivation and willingness to go the extra mile more than anything. All of this is pure hypothesis, but so is your post. It can work both ways. Will be a fantastic match and Im sure both teams will be motivated to win. Especially the managers
     
    Where is this Fellaini being out for this stuff coming from?
     
    kundalini said:
    http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/Search/Search.aspx?EventId=527036471&EditorialProduct=Man Utd

    Especially this one:

    http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail...ter-united-speaks-to-the-news-photo/459985560

    Of course he might train on Sat or Sunday, in which case, you'd probably assume he'd play.
    Click to expand...

    Well Anderson's in the pics, I guess he will be playing too.

    Might just be Valencia and Fellaini have been given time out from practice as they have played the past four games if I remember correctly.

    Actually having a look at those pictures, most of the players who have played the past four games didn't train. Only reason I can see why Valencia and Fellaini haven't trained is because van Gaal is giving them rest time. I am sure they will play on Monday. Reason Carrick and Smalling are playing is because they don't run as much. RvP training is most probably his choice or van Gaal wants to build his confidence.

    Rojo 1 (games played from the past three)
    Rooney missed last game
    Young 1 1/2
    Herrera 1
    Falcao 1
    RvP 3 1/2(well 2 1/2 since he hardly touched the ball against Arsenal)
    Lingard 0
    Rafael 0
    Perreira 0
    Fletcher 1/4
    Januzaj 1/4
    Mata 1 1/2
    Wilson 1 1/4
    Smalling 3
    Carrick 4

    Missing
    Valencia 3 3/4
    Fellaini 4
     
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    mazhar13 said:
    Even though Southampton have lost their last two matches and didn't look that great on the attack, I somehow feel that we may lose this match, though not due to us playing poorly, but due to Southampton being the more motivated, energetic, willing team. Koeman will really motivate them to get back on track particularly against van Gaal, and who better to beat than Man. Utd.?
    Click to expand...
    There is absolutely no reason why you had that feeling we would lose to Southampton. Your reason was a bit flimsy and goes to show you lost your motivation. There's no bases you think their coach is more able to motivate them than our boss does to our players. You gave up too soon! Stop being negative and we will be better. And don't give me the "face the reality' thing. The reality is we can beat them.
     


    My defensive line-up right now. If we are taking the Mourinho route. Still has the players for possession football but also enables us to play with a low line and take advantage of counter attacking opportunities. Hoping Falcao is fit but i understand it prob won't happen. Alternatively Januzaj instead of Wilson.



    More attacking formation. Southampton has many players injured so this would be my guess of line-up. Don't think Rafael will start, just a guess but i feel Valencia offers a more physical presence to the defense. Young was my MOTM against Stoke but this is a different sort of game so i hope Rojo plays out wide.

    Predicting a 2-1 win.
     
    Last edited:
    The Stain said:


    My defensive line-up right now. If we are taking the Mourinho route. Still has the players for possession football but also enables us to play with a low line and take advantage of counter attacking opportunities. Hoping Falcao is fit but i understand it prob won't happen. Alternatively Januzaj instead of Wilson.



    More attacking formation. Southampton has many players injured so this would be my guess of line-up. Don't think Rafael will start, just a guess but i feel Valencia offers a more physical presence to the defense. Young was my MOTM against Stoke but this is a different sort of game so i hope Rojo plays out wide.

    Predicting a 2-1 win.
    Click to expand...

    I've seen nothing from Rojo at left back that would make me want to break up a solid looking centre back partnership so easily. Plus nothing from Evans that makes me want to throw him straight in either. I'd stick with the same back 5.
     
    gasmanc said:
    Well yea, if they can get the ball off us and in those small spells use it efficiently, they will struggle in both respects even with a full compliment. A giant slice of luck is likely their best bet so you can't rule any result out, but come on, if you don't think Van Gaal will have his own personal reasons for an extra motivational speech then you need to look at both coaches past history.
    This ones not just about Southampton V United.

    It's about who comes out on top.
    Click to expand...

    ChaddyP said:
    out of curiosity, why is it you think Koeman can motivate his players any better than Van Gaal can his. I have no doubt our players will be up for this match especially since Rooney is back. We have a fresher squad than Southampton and got an extra days rest. They just spent themselves against Gunners, i think we shall be more energetic. We have the chance to go third in the table since lord knows when if we beat them, i think that in itself is more motivation and willingness to go the extra mile more than anything. All of this is pure hypothesis, but so is your post. It can work both ways. Will be a fantastic match and Im sure both teams will be motivated to win. Especially the managers
    Click to expand...

    redevil2 said:
    There is absolutely no reason why you had that feeling we would lose to Southampton. Your reason was a bit flimsy and goes to show you lost your motivation. There's no bases you think their coach is more able to motivate them than our boss does to our players. You gave up too soon! Stop being negative and we will be better. And don't give me the "face the reality' thing. The reality is we can beat them.
    Click to expand...

    It was just a gut feeling of mines that I felt like sharing to the forum, just like how a betting man goes with his gut feeling over picking a certain horse to win a race.

    On paper, we have a great chance to win, and van Gaal is world class when compared to Koeman, but I feel like this may be one of those games where they will have the extra bit of luck to get the victory and where things won't go right for us, just like our rare loss against Derby County at home in the 2000/01 season or the Portsmouth loss in the FA Cup during the 2007/08 season. For this reason, I feel like we may suffer an annoying 1-0 loss where we deserved to win but couldn't.
     
    Assuming Rafael is fit and available for this one:

    ----------------DDG-----------------
    Rafael----Smalling---Evans----Rojo
    --------Fellaini------Carrick---------
    Valencia------Rooney------Mata/Herrera-
    ------------RVP-------------------------
     
    Would it be such a bad idea to play either Blackett or Evans at Left Back. Notwithstanding Young saving our ass in Stoke match, i believe in a match like this having a natural defender may be better.
     
    Mr.Kaya said:
    Very strong team, but I'd like Herrera from start even though he wasn't very good last match. I'd also like to see Rooney on top with either Wilson or Falcao(depends on form), RvP on the bench for once...Then Mata behind the 2 strikers. Hopefully Januzaj can get some playtime too soon, he really needs it.
    Click to expand...
    I agree. RVP should be introduced later in the match. Wilson or Falcao (depending on his injury) should start alongside Rooney.
     
    Siddharth said:
    Would it be such a bad idea to play either Blackett or Evans at Left Back. Notwithstanding Young saving our ass in Stoke match, i believe in a match like this having a natural defender may be better.
    Click to expand...
    Evans hasn't played LB in years. Might be easier playing Rojo there.
     
    carlosp said:
    Well Anderson's in the pics, I guess he will be playing too.

    Might just be Valencia and Fellaini have been given time out from practice as they have played the past four games if I remember correctly.

    Actually having a look at those pictures, most of the players who have played the past four games didn't train. Only reason I can see why Valencia and Fellaini haven't trained is because van Gaal is giving them rest time. I am sure they will play on Monday. Reason Carrick and Smalling are playing is because they don't run as much. RvP training is most probably his choice or van Gaal wants to build his confidence.

    Rojo 1 (games played from the past three)
    Rooney missed last game
    Young 1 1/2
    Herrera 1
    Falcao 1
    RvP 3 1/2(well 2 1/2 since he hardly touched the ball against Arsenal)
    Lingard 0
    Rafael 0
    Perreira 0
    Fletcher 1/4
    Januzaj 1/4
    Mata 1 1/2
    Wilson 1 1/4
    Smalling 3
    Carrick 4

    Missing
    Valencia 3 3/4
    Fellaini 4
    Click to expand...

    Valencia is in the pics.

    http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail...nited-in-action-during-a-news-photo/459985580

    http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail...nited-in-action-during-a-news-photo/459985652

    The only players not in the pics are: Blind, Jones, Di Maria, Shaw and Fellaini. There are at least 24 players in the pics so several will inevitably miss out; Anderson will probably be among the group that misses out, as will Lingard (not yet match fit), Amos, Rothwell and perhaps Pereira.
     
    Last edited:
    Wouldn't be a surprise if Fellaini is out with his neck muscle issue given how cautious VG is.
     
    gasmanc said:
    xbS0Pnq.jpg



    It's about who comes out on top.
    Click to expand...

    That photo :lol::lol: Koeman looks like a terrified kid who's just seen Pennywise

    Also took me a few seconds to realize the ref wasn't sticking out his tongue.
     
    de Gea
    Rafael Smalling Rojo Young
    Carrick
    Herrera Fellaini
    Mata
    Rooney RvP
    _________________________
    ​
    Can't see much past the above team. LVG is a coach who likes to use consistent teams where he can. Barring injuries, I can only see Rafael and Rooney coming into the side in place of Valencia and Wilson respectively. A few people are moving Rojo to LB and putting in Evans, but I wouldn't like to see too many changes to the defence between games. We've looked a lot better defensively recently with Smalling and Rojo so my preference would be to keep the CB's the same and introduce Rafael and Shaw when they're fit. I'd only like to see changes in the CB's if their form drops. Evans hasn't played in the Premier for a long time, even if people rate him above Smalling or Rojo I don't think he would be sharp enough to come into a tough game against Southampton.

    Tough game but I think we are hitting our stride and can see a 1-0 or 2-1 victory here to start to cement our place in the top 4.
     
    Last edited:
    I think the lineup will be the same as the Stoke game, just with the inclusion of Rooney:

    De Gea
    Valencia Smalling Rojo Young
    Carrick
    Fellaini Mata
    Herrera
    van Persie Rooney​
    _________________________________________________________________________________________________

    I'm really excited about the potential of our team and how they could play when they eventually click. When that happens I think this would be a mouth-watering lineup:
    ​
    De Gea
    Rafael Smalling M. Rojo Shaw

    Herrera Carrick* Di Maria

    Rooney
    van Persie** Falcao**​

    * Maybe interchanging Carrick with Blind occasionally
    * Imagine Rvp and Falcao circas 2012 :drool:
     
    XI:

    de Gea
    Valencia - Smalling - Rojo - Young
    Carrick
    Fellaini - Mata
    Herrera
    Wilson - Rooney (c)

    Subs: Lindegaard, McNair, Blackett, Fletcher, Januzaj, van Persie, Falcao
    ​
    More or less the same team as Stoke, because there's no real reason to change things up when we are on a winning run and the majority of other players who would come into contention for a starting spot remain out.

    That said, I'm a little apprehensive about the defence and in particular Young at leftback. Despite his heroics in midweek and general form, he isn't a fullback and I could see Southampton targeting him and exploiting him as the main weakness with Clyne operating on the same flank. Young hasn't exactly faced daunting challenges there so far, so containing Clyne will be a huge task. Rojo is an option to use there, but the Smalling-Rojo axis shouldn't be disrupted and Blackett could be just as much of a calamity there as Young.

    In midfield, there really isn't much room for maneuver either. I think it's important we have more pace and presence given it's an away fixture against a decent, possession team. Valencia could be a good option as a right-sided midfielder doing a disciplined job and carrying the ball well like he did against Everton, but we need him at right back. I think we will really miss di Maria in this game as we don't have anyone capable of replicating his pace and offering an outlet.

    Given what I've said in the paragraph above, that is why I would start Wilson. He can inject pace into the team and stretch the opposition so I hope to see him start alongside Rooney. Either Mata or van Persie would be the casualty, but Mata deserves to start more.
     
    Not a single game has LVG used a right footed centre back at left centre back (not even in pre-season). With Rojo and Blackett available, he definitely won't use a right footed centre back at LCB. When will people learn this?
     
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Post-match discussion

Man of the Match

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

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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
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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

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