#360fans: Man U v Southampton – UAE preview

Sport360 staff 11:59 23/01/2016
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    • Shane Long and Wayne Rooney are in red-hot form in the Premier League.

    Ahead of Chelsea’s home clash with Sunderland, each team’s UAE Supporters Clubs preview the game for Sport360, including predicting the likely XIs and picking their players to watch.

    Do you agree with the assessments of Chelsea and Sunderland’s Supporters Clubs? Let us know using #360fans on Twitter or commenting on the Sport360 Football Facebook page.

    Omar Othman, MANCHESTER UNITED SUPPORTERS CLUB UAE

    After a big result last week which saw United win for the fourth consecutive time in the league against Liverpool, the home team will aim to build on the confidence boost obtained from that match.

    Despite much criticism from both press and fans, many of who question the philosophy of LVG, there have been positive signs over the past few weeks with clear signs of change.  Players seem less static and have more freedom of movement for example.  There is more urgency, increased shots from outside the area and more scoring chances in general.

    Another positive is that Wayne Rooney has scored four goals in as many games and is looking more like the Rooney of old.  There is still concern that United have ended the first half at Old Trafford 0-0 in their last nine games, but hopefully that won’t be the case against Southampton.

    On the injury front Ashley Young will face a long spell on the sidelines, joining Bastian Schweinsteiger, Michael Carrick, Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, Antonio Valencia, and Luke Shaw on a worryingly long injury list.

    If United are going to have any hope of challenging for the title this season nothing less than three points will do.

    Match fast facts

    • Southampton won at Old Trafford last season for the first time since 1988.
    • Manchester United have not kept a clean sheet in any of the last eight league meetings.
    • Wayne Rooney is looking to score in five successive games in all competitions for the first time since March 2010.
    • The Saints have scored an unrivalled 13 Premier League goals from crosses this season.

    PREDICTION: Manchester United 2-0 Southampton.

    LIKELY MAN U XI: Dea Gea, Borthwick-Jackson, Smalling, Blind, Darmian.  Schneiderlin, Herrera, Lingard, Mata, Martial, Rooney.

    MAN U PLAYER TO WATCH: Rooney.  He has been on the receiving end of much criticism for his lack of form, but now that they have started to flow nicely and long may it continue!

    SOUTHAMPTON PLAYER TO FEAR: Shane Long. The Irishman is a threat on the counter-attack, while Charlie Austin can also cause problems.

    FAVOURITE MAN U-SOUTHAMPTON MEMORY: The stand out memory is the 15 second goal by United’s now assistant manager Ryan Giggs in 1995.

    WHERE TO WATCH: MUSC UAE members have three locations to choose from which they can call home.  In Dubai matches are shown at Harvesters Pub, Crowne Plaza and Yamo Café & Restaurant, Sidra Tower (Near Media City).  As for Abu Dhabi, the matches are shown at Coopers Bar in the Park Rotana.

    TWITTER: MUSC_UAE

    FACEBOOK: Manchester United Supporters Club – UAE

    Phil Hugues, DUBAI SAINTS

    Southampton had a dreadful run at the end of 2015. Injuries and loss of form meant that between 7th November and 13th January they had only won one game in ten – a surprise 4-0 demolition of Arsenal on Boxing Day.  Fans talked openly of being dragged into the relegation fight.
    The return from long term injury of Frazer Forster, a change in formation and style brought convincing wins against Watford and WBA, encouraging many Saints to now believe we are getting back to our best and we travel to Old Trafford with the chance of picking up at least a point. We like to think Ronald Koeman is going head-to-head with Louis Van Gaal for what could be the last time in the EPL.
    Saints’ tactical shift saw us line up with the wing-back formation that failed for United at the start of the season, Ryan Bertrand moving to a central position and academy graduate Matt Targett on the left. Built around a solid midfield, Saints now work the ball forward much faster and directly, using the energy and pace of Shane Long and Sadio Mane to run at defences.
    The 3-0 win over West Brom last Saturday came hours after Saints announced the “Theft” of Charlie Austin from QPR for 4million pounds (a pittance for a proven EPL goal scorer these days) which completely lifted the mood of fans and players.  It is unlikely that Austin will be ready for this game as Saints will want to get his fitness levels built up.
    PREDICTION: Man U 0 Saints 1 – Dusan Tadic to score around 75 minutes after coming on as Sub (again).
    LIKELY SOUTHAMPTON XI: 3-5-2 – Forster, Cedric, Fonte, Van Dyjk, Betrand, Targett, Clasie, Wanyama, Davis, Long, Mane.
    SOUTHAMPTON PLAYER TO WATCH: Shane Long has been superb of late. He annoys defenders, gets in their face, “plays off the shoulder”, forcing them to turn and chase. With increased competition amongst our strikers, we expect him to prove he deserves to keep his place.
    MAN U PLAYER TO FEAR:  Rooney. Sadly, for United fans he appears to be the only goal threat they have at the moment. Keeping him quiet when he plays the advanced striker role is quite simple, as many other teams have shown this year, for Saints the problem will be when he drops deeper later in the game.
    FAVOURITE MAN U-SOUTHAMPTON MEMORY: Dusan Tadic last season scoring the deserved winner at Old Trafford. It got rather noisy in Barasti!
    WHERE TO WATCH: Dubai Saints have a table reservation in the main Bar at Barasti for every match
    FACEBOOK: Dubai Saints
    TWITTER: @DubaiSaints

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