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United, currently ranked ninth will be looking to win back-to-back Premier League matches for the first time this season on Saturday.
The squad of David Moyes find themselves in the middle of the pack with just ten points. But despite the poor start to the season, United are just six points behind league leaders Arsenal and go into the match having beaten Sunderland prior to the international break.
If Southampton defeats Manchester United, United will lose back-to-back home games for the first time since 2002. But the history is with United as Southampton only managed to score one point in 14 visits to Old Trafford.
Southampton is in top form this season. They have won three games in a row beating Liverpool at Anfield and defeating Swansea and Crystal Palace at their own court.
Combine those wins with a good defense, conceding just two goals in the Premier League so far, and it is no surprise Southampton is ranked fourth in this year’s campaign.
The Saints have a chance to record back-to-back away victories against top tier teams for the first time since 2001.
Adnan Januzaj, a new star is born
He is only eighteen years old but has already shown his class at Manchester. Januzaj is a winger from Belgium, with Kosovar-Albanian parents. He began his career at Anderlecht but was picked up by United when he was 16.
United had the worst beginning to a season since 1989/90 and it looked to get even more troubling in the match against Sunderland. But Januzaj saved the day and match. The youngster scored twice and United won 2-1.
Januzaj has been in the news a lot lately because of his possible international career choice. The 18-year-old is eligible to represent Belgium, Albania, Serbia, Turkey and Kosovo.
However, it is expected that the talent will go on and play for England. Insiders say that England has Januzaj preference. Only issue is that is required to live in England five years before you can play for the Three Lions. I think the FA will try and find a way to get him eligible for play via legal ways.
‘We are mentally capable to beat Man United’
Manchester United was surprisingly defeated at home by West Bromwich Albion and Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino believes his squad can do the same.
The Argentinian coach said: “It is one thing to be confident and another to be complacent. It is clear we have won three out of three and the teams are respecting us. We have the mental capacity to win this game.”
Pochettino also commented on claims from the Poland national team that his goalkeeper, Artur Boruc, is injured.
The 33-year-old was reported to have suffered a setback this week against Ukraine. He even posted a photo online of what looked like himself with his right leg in a protective support.
But Pochettino says there is no problem. “Artur is OK” he said. “There is some news that has come out, which is not true, regarding his fitness. He is fine.”
Probable Lineups
Manchester United
De Gea – Smalling, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra – Felliani, Carrick, Valencia, Rooney, Januzaj – Van Persie
Southampton FC
Boruc – Shaw, Fonte, Lovren, Clyne – Wanyama, Schneiderlin, Lallana, Osvaldo, Davis – Lambert
Prediction
This game should be a good indicator as to whether Manchester United has found it’s way back to the title race.
However, Southampton will be a difficult opponent to defeat. The Saints have kept a clean sheet in their last four Premier League matches, of which they won three.
Nevertheless, I still see United taking the proverbial W in this game. I believe Moyes has got all the noses pointing in the right direction and United will begin climbing the league table from now on.
United striker Van Persie has found last season’s form again and he scored three times during the international week. If he is on point, United will have a much easier time attacking.
What will the correct score be, you ask? Well, the last eight matches of United against Southampton have all seen over 2.5 goals. And United scored at least two times in those eight meetings. So we can expect to see goals.
But like I mentioned earlier Southampton are though defensively and do not concede a lot of goals. Therefor I do predict a win with over 2.5 goals but not a blowout. United will win by one.
My prediction:
Manchester United 2 – 1 Southampton