MATCH PREVIEW: Southampton vs Manchester United

Southampton vs Manchester United

Sunday 11 May, 2014

15:00 KO BST

St Mary’s Stadium, SO14 5FP

Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino on his side’s final game of the season: “We will try to win as we always try to do in any game, but they will try to do the same. We want to win because we are in front of our fans and we are going to be playing against an amazing team and we want to finish the season on a very high note.”

We will try to win as we always try to do in any game, but they will try to do the same. We want to win because we are in front of our fans and we are going to be playing against an amazing team and we want to finish the season on a very high note
Read more at http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/09052014-mauricio-pochettino-pre-manchester-united-home-1544211.aspx#gJB8cphT3qGFFrmf.9“

“I started thinking about it on Sunday and there will be a few changes,” said Bruce.

“The people who need to play can now get a bit of football under their belts – it would be awful to put players in at Wembley who haven’t played much football.

“It’s a chance for me to give a few of the lads who have been on the bench in recent weeks a chance to play a game or two.”

“I started thinking about it on Sunday and there will be a few changes,” said Bruce.

“The people who need to play can now get a bit of football under their belts – it would be awful to put players in at Wembley who haven’t played much football.

“It’s a chance for me to give a few of the lads who have been on the bench in recent weeks a chance to play a game or two.”

“I started thinking about it on Sunday and there will be a few changes,” said Bruce.

“The people who need to play can now get a bit of football under their belts – it would be awful to put players in at Wembley who haven’t played much football.

“It’s a chance for me to give a few of the lads who have been on the bench in recent weeks a chance to play a game or two.”

Predicted line-up: Boruc, Clyne, Shaw, Lovren, Fonte, Wanywama, Schneiderlin, Cork, Davis, Lallana, Lambert

Home record: P18 W8 D5 L5 F31 A21 Pts29

Home form: D L W W L W

United (7th)

Ryan Giggs remains undecided over whether to call it a day: “I loved it the other night. I loved coming on and I still enjoy training, even though I have not done much of it over the last couple of weeks. I still enjoy it and I loved it the other night.”

After missing the matches against Sunderland and Hull, Wayne Rooney looks set to remain on the sidelines.
“Wayne has just started training over the last couple of days, and Sunday is probably a little bit too quick for him,” Ryan Giggs said.
While not as bad as first feared, Phil Jones’ shoulder injury picked up against Hull City sees him miss this game.

“Phil’s injury isn’t as bad as I thought on the night. He is obviously out for Sunday but should be okay for the World Cup,” revealed Giggs.

Rafael is back in training and hopes to be involved. “Maybe I can play in the last game,” the Brazilian defender said.

Jonny Evans will miss the game and the rest of the season with ankle ligament damage.

Predicted line-up: De Gea, Rafael, Smalling, Vidic, Evra, Fletcher, Carrick, Valencia, Mata, Januzaj, van Persie

Away record: P18 W10 D3 L5 F34 A21 Pts33

Away form: D W W W W L

Away record vs Southampton: P56 W21 D18 L17 F83 A70

Last five meetings

United 1-1 Southampton (09-10-13)

United 2-1 Southampton (30-01-13)

Southampton 2-3 United (02-09-12)

Southampton 1-2 United (29-01-11)

Southampton 0-3 United (04-01-09)

Officials

Referee: Mike Dean.

The 45-year-old official has taken charge of 26 Premier League matches this season, brandishing 95 yellow cards and 5 red cards. He has awarded 7 penalties. This season, has taken charge of United’s 2-1 defeat to Swansea in the FA Cup and the 2-2 draw away to Tottenham back in December.

Assistants: S Bennett, D Eaton.

Fourth Official: Robert Madley.

Notes

Europa League – United need to beat Southampton and hope Aston Villa win at Tottenham.

Prepare to say farewell – Nemanja Vidic will certainly make his final appearance for the club, as will Ryan Giggs as interim-manager.

Robin van Persie has scored 4 goals in 3 appearances for United against Southampton.

Southampton have kept 15 clean sheets this season – the second best record in the division.

A win would see United finish the season with the league’s best away record.

Southampton will already finish the season with the club’s highest-ever tally of Premier League points (55).

United have won the last six league meetings between the two sides.

Odds

Southampton 8/5 Draw 23/10 United 13/8

RedMancunian score prediction: Southampton 2-2 United

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By Jack Holt

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