Ahead of their Premier League clash, Manchester United and Southampton UAE-based fans give their verdict on the game.
To gain an insight into the mindset of the fans we asked UAE fans to share with us their predictions, likely line-ups and players to watch.
Do you agree or have they missed the mark? Use #360Fans to share with us your thoughts.
Omar Othman, MANCHESTER UNITED SUPPORTERS CLUB UAE
A new manager and a great transfer window – there’s optimism around Old Trafford again. Ed Woodward must be applauded after previous criticism of his failings in the market – the arrival of four great players over the summer has increased belief that we can compete again.
The first Premier League home game of the season sees Southampton visit and United fans are hoping that the ‘fear factor’ will return to the Theatre of Dreams in 2016-17. The Jose Mourinho effect (he’s had an unbelievable home record in the league wherever he’s managed) should reinvigorate a group of players that lost too many points cheaply last season, notably at Old Trafford.
United certainly got off to a great start in the Premier League after beating Bournemouth 3-1 thanks to goals from Juan Mata, Wayne Rooney and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. It wasn’t the greatest performance but it’s three points we failed to register on the south coast last season!
Southampton got off to a shaky start, dropping two points at home to Watford. With Ronald Koeman no longer steering the ship and Saints shorn of two of their best players from last season having sold Graziano Pelle and Sadio Mane, the visitors should be there for the taking.
PREDICTION: Manchester United 3 -0 Southampton
LIKELY ARSENAL XI: Dea Gea; Valencia, Bailly, Blind, Shaw; Pogba, Mata; Lingard Rooney, Martial; Ibrahimovic
MANCHESTER UNITED PLAYER TO WATCH: Paul Pogba. The Frenchman is #Pogback and all eyes will be on United’s new world record signing as the Juventus midfielder makes his long awaited second debut for United.
SOUTHAMPTON PLAYER TO FEAR: Dusan Tadic. The winger proved a serious threat last season not only with his deliveries from wide areas but with his goalscoring too. He was an assist machine in 2015-16 and started in a similar vein against Watford, Tadic’s corner teeing up Nathan Redmond for Saints’ goal.
WHERE TO WATCH: MUSC UAE members have a couple of locations to choose from. In Dubai, matches are shown at Harvesters Pub, Crowne Plaza. As for Abu Dhabi, the matches are shown at Coopers Bar in the Park Rotana.
TWITTER: @MUSC_UAE
FACEBOOK: MUSC-UAE
INSTAGRAM: @MUSCUAE
Philip Hughes, DUBAI SAINTS
Southampton waited decades for a win at Old Trafford and then, like London buses, two came along in quick succession. Thank you Louis van Gaal! This year will be different, I’m sure.
Manchester United made a very positive start to their season on the south coast last Saturday, but we’re hoping that Jose Mourinho, Paul Pogba and Co. will underestimate Saints and lose focus.
Saints started very sluggishly against Watford, out midfield seemed unbalanced and ponderous and the front three seemed out of contact with the rest of the team. Many felt we were lucky to only be one down to at half time.
It seemed we were thinking more about what new manager Claude Puel wanted than playing football. The second half was very different, though, with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg making a dramatic impact from the bench and Nathan Redmond snatching an equaliser.
With Redmond now playing in the Sadio Mane role, and Dusan Tadic playing more centrally, our full backs provide the width, setting us up well to hurt United on the break. The downside is we are likely to be without Jose Fonte (head still in the Euros) and Ryan Bertrand (injury).
Maya Yoshida & Matt Targett should deputise. Still, if Saints’ defensive midfield unit can keep United’s supply lines quiet then we can definitely steal another 1-0 win.
PREDICTION: Manchester United 0-1 Southampton
LIKELY SOUTHAMPTON XI: Forster; Pied, Yoshida, Van Dijk, Targett; Davis, Romeu, Hojbjerg; Tadic, Redmond, Long
SOUTHAMPTON PLAYER TO WATCH: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. Oozing class when he came on against Watford, it was easy to tell that Hojbjerg had spent the past four years at Bayer Munich. A solid and classy midfielder, he could well prove to be one of the signings of the season.
MANCHESTER UNITED PLAYER TO FEAR: Juan Mata. A surprising first scorer in the Jose Mourinho era given the Portuguese’s embarrassing substitution of him at Wembley. Mata is a dangerous player with a point to prove, whether he’s putting himself in the shop window or trying to win his coach’s trust.
WHERE TO WATCH: Barasti Beach Bar is Dubai Saints’ home pub – the Francis Benali Stand.
TWITTER: @dubaisaints
FACEBOOK: Dubai Saints
