PREVIEW: Manchester United v Southampton

Old Trafford, Manchester

Saturday 19th October 2013 – KO 3:00pm

Referee: Mike Jones, Assistants: G Beswick, I Hussin, Fourth Official: R East

Manchester United play their first Barclays Premier League match in two weeks because of the international break. United beat Sunderland a fortnight ago after Adnan Januzaj announced himself after two superb goals earned United all three points. David De Gea also made a great save to deny Giaccherini from putting Sunderland back into the match. David Moyes will be eager to get back to winning ways with United playing their next four matches at Old Trafford during the next fortnight.

United could be without Rio Ferdinand and Tom Cleverley. Rafael da Silva suffered a knock, but it is understood that he will be fit to play on Saturday. Darren Fletcher is still training ahead of his return to first team action. Mauricio Pochettino could be without Dani Osvaldo, Luke Shaw and Artur Boruc but it is understood that they may all be fit to play the match against United.

Southampton are four points ahead of United so far this season, but if United can beat Southampton and Stoke City they could be within touching distance of league leaders Arsenal, but it is early days yet. The league is won in May not October!

Players to watch:

Adnan Januzaj: The Belgian started his first match for United against Sunderland a fortnight ago. He scored both goals which gave United the win and the all important three points. Januzaj has still not signed a new contract at the club, but according to journalists it could all happen pretty soon. There are even suggestions today that Januzaj would like to play for England should the FA be able to overcome the 5 year residency rule.

Rickie Lambert: The England striker will be up for trying to score again United on Saturday. Southampton have a good record this season winning four matches, drawing twice and losing once. The beat an in-form Liverpool only a matter of weeks ago and last season had United at bay at St Marys, the match where Robin van Persie scored his first hat-trick for United. Lambert is capable of scoring a goal or two and United’s defence need to keep him at bay.

United will need to be careful when facing up against Southampton, last time they played at Old Trafford, in January 2013, Jay Rodriguez gave them an early lead after just three minutes. Fortunately the Reds fought back and claimed the three points through a Wayne Rooney brace, although Southampton basically outplayed us at home in the second half of that game, and were very unfortunate not to claim a point.

A possible plus for United is that Southampton’s in-form goalkeeper Artur Boruc is very doubtful for the match on Saturday after picking up an injury while on duty with Poland. While not confirmed that he will miss the game, the former Celtic and Fiorentina man did sit out Poland’s final world cup qualifier against England at Wembley on Tuesday night. If Boruc is not fit to play it will be a big blow to Southampton as the shot-stopper has been in magnificent form, most recently denying Swansea brilliantly through the Saints last game, and eventually ensure a clean sheet which helped Southampton to a 2-0 victory.

Likely replacements are young argentine keeper Paulo Gazzaniga or veteran English keeper Kelvin Davies, both of whom have lacked any game time in the League so far this season.

And so with Wayne Rooney on blistering form and enjoying his football again, as well as Robin van Persie finding his goal touch again while on international duty with Holland, United’s strike force has a great opportunity to capitalise on Southampton’s possible weakness.

Hopefully United’s new boy wonder will also be on show again, and bring Old Trafford alive with his talent, but more important than all will be that United claim another three points and get the momentum building.