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

By Khaled Abdallah

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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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 23: Shane Long of Southampton and Morgan Schneiderlin 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: Shane Long of Southampton and Morgan Schneiderlin 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) /

1. Control Possession

It should go without saying: Manchester United are a team that will punish you if you let them have the ball. United held the ball for 53% of the match against Bournemouth and were able to hang 3 goals on the Cherries in that time. Southampton will have to do better in the possession game if they want to have a chance at coming out with points.

Fortunately, this is one area where Claude Puel’s philosophy excels. The 4-4-2 diamond is based around possession football, patience and quality passes from back-third to midfield to attacking-third and back as need be. That strength showed last week as Southampton dominated possession 64% to 36% versus Watford. They’ll need to put up similar, or better, possession numbers against the Red Devils tomorrow if they want to have a chance.

Next: D is for Defence