Southampton vs Manchester United: Where the game will be won and lost

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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 24: Harry Maguire of Manchester United looks dejected with team mate Paul Pogba during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on August 24, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

Aerial duels

Manchester United will offer some physically opposing players with the likes of Paul Pogba, Victor Lindelof and Scott McTominay; however none of them will cause Southampton more of an issue then the new £80 million addition that is Harry Maguire.

The 6ft3 centre-half is a dominant presence in the air; and therefore trying to play crosses into the box against the former-Leicester City defender might be a tactically hampering idea, especially when Southampton’s front line consists of Danny Ings and Che Adams who are both under 5ft8.

The Saints will need to find another way of penetrating the United defence; as failing to do so will only be playing into the Red Devil’s strengths and would even aid in helping them keep a clean sheet.

Likewise with Southampton’s central-midfield, Oriol Romeu and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg will need to be favoured to compete for secondary high balls or keeper distributions against the mentioned Pogba and McTominay; who have both been favoured in United’s 4-2-3-1 system so far this campaign.