View Single Post
Old 23-09-2017, 09:04 PM   #5
Andi Istiabudi
manager
 
Andi Istiabudi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Jakarta
Posts: 33,888
Thanks: 0
Thanked 2,334 Times in 1,748 Posts
Mentioned: 146 Post(s)
Andi Istiabudi is a splendid one to beholdAndi Istiabudi is a splendid one to beholdAndi Istiabudi is a splendid one to beholdAndi Istiabudi is a splendid one to beholdAndi Istiabudi is a splendid one to beholdAndi Istiabudi is a splendid one to beholdAndi Istiabudi is a splendid one to beholdAndi Istiabudi is a splendid one to behold


Default Re: [EPL] Southampton vs Manchester United



PREVIEW: SOUTHAMPTON V UNITED

Setting the scene… United face a first three o'clock kick-off of the season at Southampton and are out to maintain a place at the top of the table. The Reds start the weekend in joint-first place with neighbours City after the Manchester clubs posted identical records for the opening five games. Jose Mourinho's Reds are in fine form and, after beating Everton 4-0 last weekend, Burton Albion were dismissed 4-1 in the Carabao Cup third round on Wednesday. The Saints are currently in ninth spot, following a welcome away win at struggling Crystal Palace last time out in the Premier League.

How can I watch it? Well, it's a rarity as the game is not being screened live in the UK. Subscribers of MUTV on Sky or Virgin Media, the club's MUTV app or online at MUTV.com will be able to watch build-up from 13:00 BST on the Match Day show and listen to radio commentary of the game before watching it in full on Sunday at 18:00 BST. You can also keep up with all the action as it happens via ManUtd.com's live match blog and by following our official Twitter account @ManUtd.

What's the team news? Paul Pogba is still likely to be out with a hamstring problem but those rested in midweek should all be available, including keeper David De Gea. Marcus Rashford was withdrawn with what appeared to be a slight knock against Burton, while Luke Shaw came off the bench to show he is regaining full fitness. Marcos Rojo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic remain on the sidelines. Southampton striker Charlie Austin could be the home side's only doubt as classy centre-back Virgil van Dijk has been welcomed back into the fold.

How is Southampton's form? They are in mid-table after a morale-boosting victory at Palace but the South Coast side have been a little goal shy on home turf for some time. Nonetheless, a 3-2 triumph over West Ham bucked the trend in August, even if the other matches at St Mary's this term have been a 2-0 Carabao Cup loss to Wolves, a defeat to Watford by the same scoreline and, to open things up, a goalless draw with Swansea.

What happened the last time we met at St Mary's? Not too much, in truth, as it finished 0-0. Sergio Romero saved a penalty by Manolo Gabbiadini but the Reds' primary focus at this time was on the Europa League final. Anthony Martial hit a post for United on a ground where he scored twice in his first season with the club.

Didn't we meet three times in 2016/17? Yes, and the 3-2 Wembley win in the EFL Cup final was one of our highlights of the campaign. Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice, with Jesse Lingard also netting, while Gabbiadini bagged a brace for the Saints. In the league game at home, we won 2-0 with Zlatan hitting a double in his first competitive game for United at Old Trafford.

Who is in charge of the Saints now? Mauricio Pellegrino and he may look familiar as he had a spell at Liverpool as a centre-back in 2005. The Argentinian actually made his debut for the Merseysiders in a 1-0 defeat to Sir Alex Ferguson's side, when Wayne Rooney netted the winner at Anfield. He took over from Frenchman Claude Puel in the summer.

Did you know? United's first-ever away win in the Premier League came at Southampton, when Dion Dublin scored the only goal of the game in 1992. This visit to St Mary's means we will have played the Saints more times at their new home than we did at The Dell in the Premier League.

Who's the referee? Craig Pawson is the man in the middle. Ian Hussin and Constantine Hatzidakis are his assistants with Mike Jones the fourth official.

How will we get on? Get involved and predict the score of the game with the Manchester United Score Predictor and win amazing prizes througout the season with Marathonbet.

Rivals watch: City entertain a Crystal Palace side that is currently goalless and pointless, before Roy Hodgson's new club will be the Reds' next home league opponents. Meanwhile, champions Chelsea are at Stoke City, who, of course, drew 2-2 with United recently.

Saturday 23 September (15:00 BST unless stated)
West Ham v Tottenham (12:30)
Burnley v Huddersfield Town
Everton v Bournemouth
Manchester City v Crystal Palace
Stoke City v Chelsea
Swansea City v Watford
Leicester City v Liverpool (17:30)

Sunday 24 September
Brighton v Newcastle United (16:00)

Monday 25 September
Arsenal v West Brom (20:00)

www.manutd.com
Andi Istiabudi is offline