Premier League preview: Manchester United chase fifth straight league win at Southampton

Last Updated: 08/12/14 11:13am

Southampton host in-form Manchester United at St Mary's in the Premier League on Monday Night Football.

The away side, who can leapfrog their opponents into third with victory at St Mary’s, have an excellent record against the south coast club, winning nine and losing just one of the last 12 league meetings.

Live on Sky Sports

vs
So'ton v Man Utd
December 8, 2014 7:00pm

Van Gaal’s men have won just once on their travels this season but will be in confident mood of picking up three points after a run of four straight wins.

Back-to-back defeats against Manchester City and Arsenal have stalled Southampton’s bright start to the season under Ronald Koeman and the Dutchman will be desperate for his team to halt that losing run.

Southampton will have to contend with a lengthy injury list but Koeman will certainly have his troops fired up in what is the first ever Premier League game contested by two Dutch managers.

Ed Draper and Jamie Redknapp look ahead to the Monday Night Football offering of Southampton v Manchester United.

Team news

Jack Cork faces at least six weeks on the sidelines as Southampton's injury problems mount. Koeman revealed the midfielder sustained ankle ligament damage in Wednesday's defeat at Arsenal, when Toby Alderweireld was also forced off with a hamstring injury

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney: Fit again

The Belgium international is a doubt for the meeting with the Red Devils, while Morgan Schneiderlin, Jay Rodriguez (knee), James Ward-Prowse (foot) and Sam Gallagher (knee) are long-term absentees. In more positive news for Saints, Dusan Tadic has overcome a knock and should feature.

Van Gaal has confirmed Wayne Rooney will be fit for the trip. The England skipper had a scan on Thursday to examine a possible knee problem but has been given the all-clear to feature. However, record signing Angel di Maria will not be ready to return from his hamstring injury.

Koeman says Saints are still in contract talks with United transfer target Nathaniel Clyne

Luke Shaw (ankle), Jonny Evans (ankle), Rafael (groin), Daley Blind (knee) and Phil Jones (calf) are all expected to miss out for the visitors.

Merson predicts

“I think Southampton have hit a brick wall. The teams they have beaten weren’t any of the big boys. They did well and kept Arsenal at bay for most of the game but they never looked like scoring and you have to win games. Even with 10 men Man City ripped them apart. Man United – with Wayne Rooney back – will be a different kettle of fish and I can’t see them getting anything, even at home.”

PAUL PREDICTS: 0-2 (Sky Bet Odds 11/1)

Van Gaal says he's 'disgusted' by reports of him spending big in the January transfer window

Opta Facts

Southampton have scored the first goal in four of their last five PL meetings with Manchester United but lost three and won none of those four matches.

Rooney has scored five goals in five Premier League starts against Southampton.

United have won nine and lost just one of the last 12 Premier League games against Saints.

Saints have started the fewest spread of players this season in the Premier League (15), while Man United have handed starts to more than any other team (26).

Sky Sports Vault looks back at Southampton's dramatic 6-3 win over Manchester United in October 1996

Just six of Manchester United’s 25 points so far this season have been claimed away from Old Trafford (W1 D3 L2).

Nathaniel Clyne has made more tackles than any other Premier League player this season (63).

Betting

Van Gaal’s side are on a roll and they’re 6/4 favourites at St. Mary’s, where the hosts are 17/10 to win. Southampton have a habit of throwing away a lead to Manchester United, having scored first in four of the last five league meetings between the sides, yet they’ve taken just one point from those four games. They’re evens to score first on Monday night, while it’s 28/1 for Southampton to be ahead at the break, with United going on to take all three points. Visit www.skybet.com for all the latest prices and offers on the game, including a Money Back Offer on selected markets if both sides score.

Monday, 8 December 2014