Man Utd let down by defence in Southampton Mix ‘N’ Match
Published:
Manchester United are currently in the midst of a nine-game unbeaten run at home, winning all-but one of those matches and at that against Chelsea, while Southampton have only claimed the scalp of Crystal Palace in their last five away outings.
Understandably, Louis van Gaal’s men dominate our mix ‘n’ match XI, but it’s far from a clean sweep.
The keeper gloves clearly go to David de Gea. By all accounts, Fraser Forster has done well at Southampton since signing from Celtic over the summer, but no goalie in the world is performing better than the Spanish number one-elect at the moment.
Saints do better in the backline though, as their opponents’ rearguard would undoubtedly be improved by Ronald Koeman mainstays Jose Fonte and Toby Alderweireld, with the latter particularly pleasing since his loan move from Atletico Madrid.
Thus far enigmatic, but clearly talented, Argentine Red Devil Marcos Rojo means three centre-halves are supplemented in defence on one flank by former Saints left-back Luke Shaw, although returning United flyer Angel Di Maria won’t be expected to do much dirty work on the other side.
With the former Real Madrid man bombing forward, Michael Carrick and Morgan Schneiderlin both act as deep-lying midfielders in order to protect the backline, although the Frenchman would be based slightly further forward to facilitate attacks.
Up front, new Saints trio Graziano Pelle, Dusan Tadic and lately Sadio Mane all have claims for a spot, but breaking up what has shaped like a pretty tasty United front-three in recent weeks would be churlish.
Bear in mind, with Di Maria at wing-back Wayne Rooney would spend much of the game in defence, but he has been doing that all his Old Trafford career.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim up to £25 in free bets
