Saints Marching
Fansided

The lowdown on Manchester United ahead of clash with Southampton

ByMarc Walker|
Manchester United's English striker Jadon Sancho (R), with Manchester United's Norwegian manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, comes onto the field during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Leeds United at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on August 14, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester United's English striker Jadon Sancho (R), with Manchester United's Norwegian manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, comes onto the field during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Leeds United at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on August 14, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
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A general view of Southampton’s St Marys Stadium (Photo by Sam Bagnall – AMA/Getty Images)
A general view of Southampton’s St Marys Stadium (Photo by Sam Bagnall – AMA/Getty Images)

Southampton return to home turf on Sunday and will hope to record a positive result against Manchester United in front of a full St Mary’s.

Their opening day loss to Everton saw some promising performances from some players but the key is to put together a true team display for a full 90 minutes after their second-half crumble at Goodison Park.

United arrive on the South Coast after a dominant 5-1 win over Leeds in their opening fixture and Sunday will truly provide a test of the Saints team that Ralph Hasenhuttl is trying to build.

There have been some classic meetings between the two sides in the past and some will be memorable for Saints fans than others. Think grey kits, a certain 6-3 scoreline or Dusan Tadic flexing at the away fans at Old Trafford.

Supporters will want to forget last season’s clash in Manchester though given that Saints equalled their worst ever defeat and lost 9-0 for the second time in two seasons.

Now there is a fresh start for both clubs though and that includes United. We got the thoughts of Stretty News writer and Manchester United fan Dale O’Donnell (@ODonnellDale) to provide the Red Devils’ angle ahead of Sunday’s fixture (featuring a jokey prediction, we hope):