BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue: Old Trafford Date: Sunday, 11 January

Manchester United vs Southampton


TEAM NEWS

Manchester United have been bolstered by the return to fitness of Angel di Maria, Rafael, Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind, Marouane Fellaini and Antonio Valencia.
Ashley Young is their only absentee with a hamstring injury.
Southampton could hand a debut to Dutch winger Eljero Elia following his transfer from Werder Bremen.

Nathaniel Clyne and Jack Cork have overcome ankle injuries but Maya Yoshida is on international duty.
Sadio Mane could be out all month with a calf complaint, although he has been named in Senegal's squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.

MATCH PREVIEW

How would you describe Manchester United this season?
It was a question posed to me on Radio 5 live recently, to which I replied: "An expensive red car that at times is no fun to drive.
"A stuttering, sluggish start. Problems with the rear suspension. Logbook shows one fine keeper and plenty of firepower but not firing on all cylinders."


Lawro's prediction
"United's results at Old Trafford have been really good of late but, although they have won their last five home games, it is still not a fortress. Southampton will have their own opportunities too, and the key for them will be how brave they are when they go forward."
Predictions: Lawro v Death in Paradise stars
Even Louis van Gaal has admitted there is room for improvement with the performance of his team. However, one area where the Dutchman will be content is their form at Old Trafford - only Chelsea have a better home record in the top flight.
To use vehicle vernacular, Southampton should have been a write-off after the sale of key players. At least, that's what many pundits predicted in pre season. Mind you, it's almost a year to the day since chairman Nicola Cortese left St Mary's and last January there were some who predicted a doomsday scenario over his departure.
It's credit to the players and the shrewd management of Ronald Koeman that Southampton are looking to build on their impressive finish of eighth last season, especially after overcoming their recent blip - they're now unbeaten in five games.
However, it's 27 years since Saints' last league victory at Old Trafford - a ground which has produced over two-thirds of United's current tally of 37 points. They've only dropped five points at home all season and have suffered only one defeat in their last 15 Premier League matches.
Van Gaal has praised the patience of the United supporters and they will be applauding again if he steers them to their intended destination of a pathway into Europe with a top-four finish.


MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
Manchester United are unbeaten in their last eight Premier League matches against Southampton, winning six and drawing two.
United have won 16 and drawn three games since Saints' last league victory at Old Trafford in January 1988, when Colin Clarke scored the game's two goals.


Manchester United
United are unbeaten in their last 10 Premier League matches (W7, D3), but have drawn three of their last four games.
Their only home defeat came on the opening day of the season against Swansea. They have since earned 25 points from a possible 27, winning their last five.
No side have scored more than once against the Red Devils in their last 12 league games, with Van Gaal's side keeping four clean sheets during this period.
Only Southampton (24) have scored more home goals than both Manchester United and Chelsea (22).

Southampton
Saints have followed a six-match winless run (D1, L5) in all competitions with a five-game unbeaten streak (W3, D2).
Southampton are yet to beat a team currently in the top five of the league table (D1, L3).
Ronald Koeman's side have kept nine clean sheets in 20 games - a joint-league high along with Chelsea.
They have conceded 15 goals this season, four fewer than any other club.
James Ward-Prowse has provided three goal assists in his last three league appearances.

Source : http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/30670763

I rep Southampton.

major466:
I rep Southampton.

fear factor