ManUtd.com
Preview: Southampton
Form guide:*Since Ryan Giggs took temporary charge of the club on 22 April the Reds have won two and lost one. The Welshman began his tenure in a manner most befitting of his attacking style as United swept past Norwich 4-0. A flat performance against Sunderland followed, resulting in a disappointing 1-0 reverse, before a 3-1 win against Hull City in the final home game of the season proved a perfect tonic to a difficult campaign at Old Trafford. Southampton, who currently sit only one place behind United, enter this game on the back of two straight wins after an impressive 2-0 victory against Everton was preceded by a similarly efficient display at Swansea. The Saints battled to a 1-0 victory in Wales to earn a solid away win thanks to a last-minute Ricky Lambert strike.
Ins and outs:*Both Phil Jones (shoulder) and Wayne Rooney (groin) are likely to miss out after recent injuries, however, save for the two Englishman, Ryan Giggs has a fully fit squad to choose from. For the Saints, Gaston Ramirez could return after a spell on the sidelines but the match is likely to come too soon for Japanese international Maya Yoshida. Long-term absentee Jay Rodriguez and substitute stopper Kelvin Davies are also out.
Last meeting: The teams last faced off back in October at Old Trafford where a 26th-minute Robin van Persie strike gave the Reds an early lead. The Dutchman was fed by an energetic Adnan Januzaj, still on a high after penning a new five-year contract earlier that day. However, what was promising to be a memorable day at the office for David Moyes turned sour when Adam Lallana equalised with a minute remaining to earn an unlikely 1-1 draw.
The manager: Having taken the managerial hot-seat at St. Mary’s following the shock sacking of Nigel Adkins in January 2013, Mauricio Pochettino has transformed Southampton into a potent attacking force capable of beating anyone on their day. The men from the south coast are now guaranteed to finish in eighth – an*incredible progression given they were only promoted to the top flight in May 2012.
Star man:*Recently crowned the club’s player of the year for 2014, Adam Lallana’s performances throughout this campaign also earned the St. Albans-born winger a place in the PFA Team of the Year. The pacey winger has caused problems for defenders up and down the country and, with silly season fast approaching, will no doubt be on the radar of Europe’s elite.
Most recent XI: Boruc; Clyne, Lovren, Fonte, Shaw; Cork, Schneiderlin, Wanyama, Davis; Lallana, Gallagher.
Sub-plot: With Ryan Giggs handing debuts to both Tom Lawrence and James Wilson against Hull last Tuesday, it will be interesting to see if the two are rewarded for their fine displays with another start on the south-coast. Similarly, Southampton are famed for their productive youth set-up and, if Wilson and Lawrence do play, they should expect to come up against fellow young charges such as Luke Shaw and Adam Lallana.*
Whistle-blower: Wirral-born ref Mike Dean will be the man in the middle for this match. It will be Dean’s third time in charge of a United match this season having officiated over the Reds’ 2-2 draw with Spurs back in December and the 2-1 FA Cup loss at the hands of Swansea - one month later.
Rivals watch:*Liverpool take on Newcastle at Anfield knowing only a win will do to keep their title hopes alive. However, all the focus will be on Manchester City’s clash with West Ham. The Blues head into the fixture safe in the knowledge that avoiding defeat against Sam Allardyce’s men will hand them their second Premier League title in three years. Elsewhere, Arsenal travel to relegation-threatened Norwich and Spurs face Aston Villa at White Hart Lane.*