Southampton vs Manchester United – Team News, Lineups, Match Facts, Preview & Prediction

By Doohan Vaz on December 7, 2014

Manchester United and Southampton are both fighting for the same place among the top-4 in the Premier League, fancying their chances because they are doing well as compared to their rivals. Southampton have 26 points from 14 matches, while United have 25 from 14 so far. On current form, Manchester United hold the advantage, as they have had gritty wins in their past few fixtures, which was initiated by the draw against Chelsea, as that served United a reminder that they could go toe-to-toe with the best clubs and beat them. On the other hand, Southampton are going through a slump after an electrifying start to their campaign in which they amassed 25 points in 11 games, before drawing Aston Villa and losing to the big daddies in the Premier League, Manchester City and Arsenal.

Southampton were thought to be the underdogs at the beginning of the season, as they had cashed in on their successful players after a unexpectedly brilliant campaign last season, and had brought in a new manager, Ronald Koeman, who brought a set of fresh faces at bargain prices, into the Premier League to at least replicate, if not to do better than the last campaign, which drew flak from the fans, who were dismayed to see the club cashing in on the players who had made them successful.

The fans are all behind Ronald Koeman now, as the club has gone from strength to strength, and are looking better than last season. Their ex-manager, Mauricio Pochettino is not doing as well as Koeman at Tottenham, and the players they have sold off will need time to develop into the players they could be, after their moves to bigger clubs. The fact that this has worked out better for Southampton than expected, is a once in a lifetime escape, and Southampton cannot afford to change themselves into a selling club to try and keep themselves out of the red, again and again.

Manchester United, on the other hand, brought in Louis van Gaal, to try and turn their fortunes around, after an underwhelming season under David Moyes the last time around. The purse strings have been loosened, as Louis van Gaal has blown through ridiculous amounts to bring established, experienced players to the club, who have made an immediate impact. The club has gone through a torrid injury crisis, which has just started to show signs of relenting, as United have been forced to think beyond their star players and put faith in their youth, who have been thrown in at the deep end, punched above their weight and have shown that they are more than capable of playing for United at the top-level, shutting criticism that the extravagant spending by United would hamper their home-grown talent. The fans were looking forward to seeing their club getting back into European competition by the end of the season, and their wish seems likely to be fulfilled, though it may be a struggle for them to stay within UEFA Financial Fair Play rules.

The transfer of Luke Shaw, the ongoing feud between compatriot managers, Ronald Koeman and Louis van Gaal since their time at Ajax ten years ago, and the yawning gap in their spending to reach the top are bones of contention between the two clubs that could spice up the battle further. Both managers will want to go for a win and not have the other have the satisfaction of beating him. This Monday night game should be a real firecracker, if it lives up to its expectations.

Southampton vs Manchester United Team News:

The home side will be without Jack Cork, who is out with an ankle problem, while Morgan Schneiderlin is a mojor doubt with a groin injury, which kept him out of action against Arsenal. Koeman will also be missing the impressive James Ward-Prowse for this one.

Van gaal on the other hand will be more than happy to welcome Wayne Rooney back from his ankle injury. Di maria is still absent.

Southampton vs Manchester United Match Facts:

Southampton have scored the first goal in four of their last five PL meetings with Manchester United but lost three and won none of those four matches.
Rooney has scored five goals in five Premier League starts against Southampton.
United have won nine and lost just one of the last 12 Premier League games against Saints.
Saints have started the fewest spread of players this season in the Premier League (15), while Man United have handed starts to more than any other team (26).
Just six of Manchester United’s 25 points so far this season have been claimed away from Old Trafford (W1 D3 L2).
Nathaniel Clyne has made more tackles than any other Premier League player this season (63).

Facts compiled from Sky Sports.

Southampton vs Manchester United Possible Lineups:

Southampton (4-3-3): Fraser Forster – Nathaniel Clyne, Jose Fonte, Toby Alderweireld, Ryan Bertrand – Steven Davis, Harrison Reed, Victor Wanyama – Sadio Mane, Graziano Pelle, Dusan Tadic.

Manchester United (4-4-2 diamond): David de Gea – Antonio Valencia, Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans, Marcos Rojo – Michael Carrick, Angel di Maria, Ander Herrera, Juan Mata – Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie.