Manchester United vs. Southampton: 4 Keys to Saints’ Game Friday

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Charlie Austin of Southampton and Daley Blind of Manchester United compete for the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Southampton at Old Trafford on January 23, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Charlie Austin of Southampton and Daley Blind of Manchester United compete for the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Southampton at Old Trafford on January 23, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) /
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Southampton face a trial by fire vs. Manchester United at Old Trafford Friday. We break down what Saints must do to come home with points.

Southampton visit Old Trafford tomorrow, in their first of many trials this season. Coming off a disappointing 1-1 draw vs Watford at home, Claude Puel’s crew will be looking to repeat their success under Ronald Koeman last outing and come home 3 points richer. Puel, meanwhile, will be looking for improvement in the next game, having come through his first experience in the Premier League.

For United, it’s a different story. Jose Mourinho’s team made it look easy against AFC Bournemouth last week, putting the Cherries away 3-1 at the Vitality Stadium. For a team that spent a king’s ransom this summer, it was an expected result. With Paul Pogba back in action after serving his one-game carryover suspension from Serie A, Mourinho will be hoping that the reunion goes according to plan, keenly aware that the opposition will have had one more day of rest and training than his squad; United played Sunday evening.

Whatever the final outcome, Friday’s festivities promise to be 90 minutes of action, suspense and drama played out within the largest club stadium in English football. Let’s take a look at what Southampton need to do to march out as winners.

Next: Possession is the Name of the Game