Saints V Manchester United The Preview
Friday, 19th Aug 2016 11:55

Can Saints make it three wins in a row at Old Trafford ? we will soon know the answer as we once again travel to the lair of the devil himself.

There can't be many teams who have won at Old Trafford three times in a row, at least not in the modern era and if you add a draw three seasons ago into the mix then, we probably have as good a run of results at United as any team in living memory.

But this year looks the hardest of the lot, Jose Mourinho showed the world that to him football management is a job not a vocation when he joined the Red Devils in the summer after previously being public enemy number one and he has since made several big name signings including likely debutant Paul Pogba who when he left Old Trafford the first time did so venting his anger at United, again money talked and showed you can buy amnesia off the shelf these days.

To add to all that it is a Saints team in transition that go there and one that has not had the best preparation being once again disrupted during the summer, not only by the usual Spurs unsettling tactics, but the Euros.

Going to a packed Old Trafford looking to poop their party isn't looking a sure bet at time of writing.

However Saints showed enough in the second half against Watford to suggest that they are learning Claude Puel's ways fast and can make things difficult for Mourinho's men, however I would be a lot happier if we had a full squad to pick from with everyone mentally and physically fit.

The game plan will be simple, keep it tight, don't make mistakes and be in with a chance in the final quarter and be ready to strike when the chance comes.

Key man for me will be Jose Fonte, he has to play and he has to be mentally right, if only because we have no one of the standard required that we can bring in to play in his place.

I'm sorry Yoshida, but you display on Saturday although faultless for most of the game showed that you always have one mistake in you in a game and at this level that is not good enough.

For Saints therefore this game is a no hitter, we are expected to be the lambs to the slaughter, if we are then so be it we can go home, lick our wounds and concentrate on getting things right in the rest of the season, after all the laws of probability are against us on this one.

However if we do get a point or three then it is a bonus.

However I have to say I am not confident, but am I like many being blinded by the words of the special one and his mega signings, will it be another false dawn for Manchester United or the start of a new era, after all we put Mourinho in his place at Stamford Bridge last season at a time when we werent in great form.

Photo: Action Images

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highfield49 added 12:29 - Aug 19

I can't even justify it to myself but I have the same trepidation that I had when our team was promoted from the Championship. Kind of hoping for the best and expecting the worst. As I said I have no idea why because without doubt the squad is massively improved, maybe it's just the ridiculous spending power of our rivals? As Puel says, they are only players on the other team and why shouldn't Long, Redmond or Austin pop up with a winner if we can keep it defensively tight. We shall see.

SanMarco added 13:16 - Aug 19

I suppose we are never ever favourites to do anything at Manure so of course a home win is the most likely result as it was the last three seasons. I think we will probably lose this time because we are weaker and they are stronger. I am hoping for a good solid performance that gives us some optimism. A 1 or 2 goal defeat is no disgrace at Manure - a miserable performance and consequent hammering will start the usual 'crisis club' stuff - but I suppose if it knocks the complacency out of Les and co and leads to some much needed signings then (although it wont feel like it) it might be a good thing in the longer term...

corkcitysaint added 14:34 - Aug 19

For the first time in a long time, I fear for us going into a match and getting hammered. It's all set up really with Jose's 1st match at home, Pogba's first match, Zlatan's first home match, 1st Friday night match and all on Sky (who will be licking their chops)!!

I hope I'm wrong and we upset things. We need to play a lot better than against Watford and show more strength, better possession, to move the ball quicker and with conviction. If we are lightweight and go "missing" in parts of the pitch we are doomed.. We really need to be up for this one from the start. Team selection is key tonight.

Come on Saints!!

halftimeorange added 14:37 - Aug 19 SanMarco, if Saints do get hammered tonight then, assuming Fonte plays to his best, we will have done so fielding a largely unchanged and successful defence from last season. Other sides run a far greater risk of being slaughtered than we do. If Saints can't keep the score down then very few can.
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SanMarco added 16:55 - Aug 19 I hope you are right halftime. Obviously no Bertrand, Wanyama, Mane or Pelle.We need the new Danish lad to put in a VW type performance, Targett to play as well as Bertrand at his best, Redmond = Mane and Austin = Pelle. If we do all that and have a bit of luck then why not. I simply don't feel it will happen but I hope I am wrong.
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