Last January Saints won at Manchester United for the second year running and were undoubtably helped by the toxic atmosphere that day, but can they again be helped by one that is about expectation.

Saints have gone three games unbeaten at Old Trafford, the last two being wins by a single goal each time, now Saints head to the North West hoping to join an elite band of clubs, indeed possibly the only club to have won three consecutive Premier League games at Old Trafford.

The atmosphere at the so called Theatre Of Dreams last January was toxic and the crowd were on United's and Louis Van Gaal's back from early on and indeed were streaming towards the exits long before Charlie Austin netted the 87th minute winner.

Saints were undoubtably helped that day by the animosity of the home crowd towards the manager and his team, however seven months later it is a different scenario at United, however it could still create an atmosphere that could help Saints or for that matter completely blow them away.

The United faithful have embraced former public enemy number one Jose Mourinho and have seen him splash the cash during the summer not least on re signing Paul Pogba, but there will be a weight of expectation amidst the crowd and that could be just as much a hindrance to them as last season's toxic one was.

This is a United crowd unused to failure, a fair chunk of them have been brought up only on dominance and success and have found it hard in recent years since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson, they have now gone three seasons without a Premier League title and this is something that has happened only once since 1992 when they won the Premier League in it's first season.

So the Old Trafford faithfull wil turn up at Old Trafford on Friday night with their hopes high, but will they be prepared to be patient ? the answer is the atmosphere will not be as hatred filled as back in January, but there will be that level of demand, that says that the crowd expect United to win and win well, they are expecting to walk the league and that could help Saints.

You cannot just turn an average side into a great one overnight and Mourinho is still to bed in his new signings and still unsure of his best line up, that being the case there is a window of opportunity for Saints to get in below the radar before they get up a head of steam.

But it could just as easily turn against us, the crowd might inspire the team to a wave of confidence that could blow Saints out of the water, last season they werent the real deal, but they still had their moments, but will Ibramhovic, Pogba, Mkhitaryan and Bailly be enough to improve them that much from last season, on their day yes, but United made big signings over the past few seasons to know avail, however there is the Mourinho factor.

My heart hopes for a fourth consecutive good result at Old Trafford, but my head says that no one manages that feat and we are due a defeat, I hope I'm wrong.

Photo: Action Images

Jesus_02 added 11:57 - Aug 18 Expect decisions to go their way ;)
0

helpineedsomebody added 12:19 - Aug 18 attack v defence with this new system we play i will leave you what we will be doing all night & if he plays the young left back there they will be after him all night. but i thought that back in 76
0

schatfield added 12:45 - Aug 18 i dont expect the crowd to be on their back at all now, last season was different. And they have Pogba involved....bit worried about this match
3

vanmans added 13:24 - Aug 18 If he puts out the same team as last week we will lose 4-0 I don't hold out much hope
2

IanRC added 16:04 - Aug 18 Oh how I wish Mane was available to us
4

SanMarco added 16:47 - Aug 18 I fear this match will be a 'wake up call' - we've got used to doing pretty well at the big boys but our summer cash-ins mean we will do well to better vanmans prediction. I would be happy with a defeat of less than 3 goals. Yes optimists please do knock me for that and I would love you to be right, but I don't think you will be on this occasion. Weaken your team over the summer when several others are strengthening and you can't expect to do as well....

3

DPeps added 17:16 - Aug 18 There should be some interesting battles: VVD and Zlat, Pogba and Hojbjerg. I hope Hoj starts as he looks by far our best midfielder. I think it's a good time to be playing utd, as their defence isn't sorted and new players are still bedding in. I'll go for an optimistic 1-1, if Fonte and Hojbjerg are starting. If they're not starting then I'm with the rest of you...
4

aceofthebase added 00:14 - Aug 19 Let's hope the battle isn't an aerial one between Zlat and Cedric
1

BaselSaint added 09:03 - Aug 19 If JWP starts we will be in the sh*t right from the beginning. Important the midfield start with Hojbjerg and with good pssing and movement too. We could be thoroughly exposed tonight which will make for a tense week for Saints fans next week with the pressure already on to sign a CB and a Striker. Hope we put up a good show though.
2

Blogs 31 bloggers

Leeds United Polls