Manu vs Southampton

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PROBABLE XIs:

Man United : Carroll, G Neville, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Heinze, Fletcher, Keane, Scholes, Giggs, Rooney, Van Nistelrooy
Subs : Howard, P Neville, Brown, Smith, Ronaldo

Southampton : Keller, Dodd, Lundekvam, Kenton, Le Saux, Delap, Svensson, Fernandes, Telfer, Beattie, Phillips
Subs : Niemi, Jakobsson, Blackstock, Nilsson Griffit.

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PLAYER TO WATCH:

Man United : Roy Carroll

Roy Carroll is yet to sign a new contract at the club, and is likely to be put up for sale in January. Ferguson is aware that he needs to raise funds for any transfers next summer and so is unlikely to let the player leave for free. Carrolls refusal to sign a contract is strange, and is apparently based around his belief that he will never be fully considered as the number 1 at the club. The likes of Sebastian Frey and Carlo Cudicini have been linked with moves to the club, and Roy Carroll needs to stamp out any Lyon type mistakes if he is to really claim the jersey as his own.

Southampton : Rory Delap

Delap is a solid performer in the Southampton side and his two goals at Arsenal show that he can do it on the big day. Needs another showing like that at Highbury if he is to help his team get a share of the spoils.

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TEAM NEWS:

Man United :

Louis Saha and Kleberson are the only United absentees, and so Ferguson is likely to field the same, or similar side that has featured in the last few league matches.

Southampton:

Antti Niemi has recovered from the knee injury that has sidelined him over the past couple of months. Kasey Keller could remain in goal for this one though. James Beattie is back from a calf strain and should lead the attack with Phillips. Lundekvam has recovered from a virus.

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CURRENT FORM

Man United : WWWWWW

Six wins on the bounce, whisper it quietly, but is that Championship form?. Paul Scholes is scoring, Giggs is starting to play well, the back line looks solid, confidence is peaking. Keep this going and itll be a happy Christmas in the red half of Manchester.

Southampton : DDLWLD

Aside from a draw at Highbury, and a win in the Southcoast derby, Southampton really dont have a great deal to be happy about. Giving Norwich their first win of the campaign is one of a number of inauspicious lows so far. Things dont look as though they will get any better.

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Prem Preview : Man United-Southampton

The countdown to Christmas has begun and Sir Alex Ferguson will be hoping that his team get into the festive mood a little early with a good win against visiting Southampton.

BACKGROUND

Manchester United are moving into form, Southampton have been having an awful struggle at the wrong end of the table. Is it possible that they are to re-invent the role of cannon fodder?

A phenomenon once seen six or seven times a season at Old Trafford, a small, supposedly established Premiership team, arrives in Manchester revealing to the media that the United players are great and that it is an honour to be playing on such a big stage. They would then proceed to go and make a hash of things on the pitch, be completely outplayed and concede a hatful of goals in the process.

This has been a scarce commodity over the last few years. But with six wins on the bounce, and against a Southampton team treading water, it could be about to re-emerge.

So what does poor Steve Wigley do about it all? Im not entirely sure there is much he can do. Weve all see him on the television, softly spoken, probably a thoroughly nice bloke, but he just doesnt inspire all that much confidence does he? A team going to get something at Old Trafford needs to be fired up just the right amount, needs to be inspired to go to greater lengths, run that bit faster, jump that bit higher, tackle that bit harder. And that all comes from the manager. A Gordon Strachan, now theres someone to fiery the heart of young athlete, but Steve Wigley, Im not so sure.

Is that it then? Is the match done and dusted. Of course not. This is football after all, that most inaccurate of sciences. The FA Cup second round takes place simultaneously on Saturday, but the shock of the day would surely come if Southampton turned over Man United.

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Man Utd vs Southampton preview

Southampton have been boosted by the return of three key players for the daunting trip to Manchester United.

Steve Wigley has a difficult decision over whether to recall fit-again Antti Niemi as Kasey Keller has deputised effectively in the Finn's absence - but the signs are suggesting the latter will keep his place.

On-loan Keller has performed superbly at Old Trafford during his time with Tottenham and is tipped to keep the Finn on the sidelines.

James Beattie (calf) and Claus Lundekvam (virus) are also available again with Dexter Blackstock likely to make way for Beattie. Kevin Phillips will be keen to partner Beattie after scoring twice in the fixture last season.

Marian Pahars made his comeback in the reserves in midweek but is still a few games away from a first team recall. Michael Svensson, Neil McCann and Matt Oakley are also still missing.

Former Red devil Danny Higginbotham must be determined to have another chance to try and show United were wrong to let him go.

In-form United have won 11 and drawn one of their 12 home Premiership games against Southampton and star striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has bagged six goals in six league games against Saints.

Sir Alex Ferguson will make sweeping changes to the shadow side that edged past Arsenal in the Carling Cup quarter finals in midweek, although Wes Brown should retain his place.

The Scot was impressed with the performance at West Brom last weekend and will resist making too many changes although Darren Fletcher's midfield slot could be under threat. Liam Miller was impressive against Arsenal and Alan Smith is always another starting option. Cristiano Ronaldo, who was on the bench last weekend, is also in the frame.

Disappointing Brazilian Kleberson was stretchered off on Wednesday and Louis Saha is still sidelined after picking up an injury whilst on international duty with France.

Ryan Giggs, who has scored more Premiership goals against Southampton than any other team (7 in 19 games), should start after being involved in all three of the goals at The Hawthorns. The Welshman, linked with a move to Newcastle United in Friday's press, can expect to play in his usual left wing role.

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2003/2004
English Premier Manchester United 3-2 Southampton 31-01-2004
English Premier Southampton 1-0 Manchester United 31-08-2003

2002/2003

English Premier Southampton 0-2 Manchester United 01-02-2003
English Premier Manchester United 2-1 Southampton 02-11-2002

2001/2002

English Premier Southampton 1-3 Manchester United 13-01-2002
English Premier Manchester United 6-1 Southampton 22-12-2001

2000/2001

English Premier Southampton 2-1 Manchester United 13-05-2001
English Premier Manchester United 5-0 Southampton 28-10-2000

1999/2000

English Premier Southampton 1-3 Manchester United 22-04-2000
English Premier Manchester United 3-3 Southampton 25-09-1999

1998/1999

English Premier Manchester United 2-1 Southampton 27-02-1999
English Premier Southampton 0-3 Manchester United 03-10-1998

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BIG-MATCH FACTS

MANCHESTER UNITED welcome Southampton to Old Trafford as they go in search of their 300th Premier League victory. Only eight of the 20 clubs competing in the top League this season are Premiership ever-presents, and the clubs in combat at Old Trafford are two of them. The match pits United, the most prolific winners and biggest scorers (946 goals) against Saints, who have lost more Premiership matches (20 Cool and conceded more goals (693) than any other club. United are unbeaten at home in the top League this season - Southampton are yet to win away.

United have won their last six games in all competitions, including Wednesday's Carling Cup Quarter-final, home to Arsenal. They've lost just once in 23 League and Cup games and are chasing a fourth maximum on the spin in the Premiership. They're becoming a threat once again for the title, and victory here could see the so-called big three, Chelsea, Arsenal and the Red devils filling the top three League places in the country by Saturday night.

United hold an unbeaten home Premiership record against Southampton and are chasing a fifth successive Old Trafford win against them. Ruud van Nistelrooy bagged his first hat trick for the Red devils in the 6-1 victory on 22 December 2001.

SOUTHAMPTON are back in the relegation zone, just two points off the foot, as they prepare for the trip to the Theatre of Dreams. Under pressure manager Steve Wigley knows that defeat could see his side at the foot for the first time this season, but conversely victory might lift them four places in a tight bottom seven.

Saints have made their worst start in six years to a Premiership campaign. They've won just two League games and one in the last 13 outings. The 2-1 home victory over local rivals Portsmouth is their only maximum since Wigley was appointed head coach. They've managed just two points on their travels, but those came from draws at Charlton at Arsenal.

Louis Saha scored on his Manchester United debut in last season's corresponding fixture. Paul Scholes added a second, but Saints drew level courtesy of a Kevin Phillips brace. Ruud van Nistelrooy won it on the hour with his 99th goal for the Old Trafford outfit. Southampton have lost 14 and drawn two of their 16 League trips to the Theatre of Dreams. Their only victory in 31 League engagements on United turf spanning 33 years was 0-2 in the top flight on 16 January 1988.

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SEQUENCES/RECENT FORM

MANCHESTER UNITED

4th 27 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's games: 3rd
Lowest could fall: 5th

Won the last six League and Cup games against Crystal Palace (2-0 h CC), Newcastle (1-3 a PL), Charlton (2-0 h PL), Lyon (2-1 h CL), West Brom (0-3 a PL) and Arsenal (1-0 h CC).
Undefeated in eight League and Cup games.
Won seven and drawn one in all competitions since losing 2-0 at Portsmouth in the Premiership on 30 October.
The defeat at Fratton Park is their only loss in 14 League outings.
Won nine of the last 11 competitive encounters.
Lost one of the last 23 outings in the Premiership, Champions League and Carling Cup.
Lost only two Premiership matches this season. Only Chelsea have been beaten once.
Conceded 10 Premiership goals in 15 outings. Only Chelsea (six) have a stronger defence.
Recorded the joint longest unbeaten sequence in the Premiership this season of nine games. Only Arsenal can match that.
Managed seven clean sheets in the top division. Only Chelsea (10) have kept more.
Conceded the opening goal in four top tier matches. Only Chelsea (two) have allowed the opposition to score first in fewer games.
Completed three goalless draws in the top tier. Only Norwich and Southampton equal that.
Second in the Premiership's "Last Six Current Form" table with 13 points from the possible 18.

Won the last four League and Cup games at home.
Unbeaten at home in all competitions this season.
Won 10 and drawn three League and Cup games at Old Trafford this season.
Won 10 and drawn four in domestic League, Cup and European games at the Theatre of Dreams since last suffered defeat in seven and a half months.
Won four and drawn three in the Premiership at home in this campaign.
Won four and drawn four Premiership games at Old Trafford since losing 0-1 to Liverpool on 24 April.
Claimed 15 of a possible 21 home League points.
Conceded just three top flight goals at home this season. Only Chelsea can match that.
Failed to score in two home top division encounters.

SOUTHAMPTON

18th 12 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's games: 14th
Lowest could fall: BOTTOM

Won one of the last six in all competitions.
Lost one of the last six Premiership games.
Won just two top flight games. Only Norwich and West Brom have recorded fewer victories (one each).
Won two of the last 20 Premiership matches.
Lost seven Premiership matches so far this season - only Fulham (nine) and Crystal Palace (eight) have lost more.
Failed to score in six top League encounters.
Kept just three Premiership clean sheets.
Managed only three block-outs in 23 top League encounters.
Scored first in four highest League encounters. Only Norwich (two) and West Brom (three) have managed it less often.
Matching Arsenal for Premiership games won from a losing position - three each.
Scored the quickest top flight goal this season - James Beattie after 12 seconds against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 28 August.
Involved in three goalless draws in the top division.

Won one away game in all competitions.
Not won in five League and Cup games on the road.
Not won away in the highest League this season, nor in nine Premier League exchanges away from home.
Drawn two and lost five on the road. No club has picked up fewer than two away Premiership points so far this season.
The away points came from draws at Charlton (0-0) and Arsenal (2-2).
No club has lost more than five away Premiership games.
Drawn two and lost seven League games on the road since winning 1-3 at Manchester City on 17 April.
Scored only four League goals away from St Mary's. Tottenham are the only other club to have managed fewer goals on their Premiership travels (three).
Failed to find the net in four away matches. No other top flight club can exceed that.

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KEY PLAYER NOTES/POTENTIAL MILESTONES

MANCHESTER UNITED

Ruud VAN NISTELROOY is the second highest scorer amongst Premiership players this season with 12 goals, two behind Arsenal's
Thierry HENRY. Only four of the Dutchman's goals have been in the League and only one of those from open play - the other three were penalties.

VAN NISTELROOY has scored six times in six appearances against Southampton in the Premiership.

Roy KEANE needs one goal to total 50 for Manchester United.

If involved, Rio FERDINAND will be making his 250th career League appearance.

If he maintains his run as the only United player to have figured in every one of their Premiership matches this season, Alan SMITH will be making his 250th career club appearance.

If he figures, Phil NEVILLE will be making his 250th Premiership appearance - all for the Red devils.

SOUTHAMPTON

Danny HIGGINBOTHAM began his professional career with Manchester United.

If he lines up for the kick off, Kevin PHILLIPS will be making his 300th career League start.

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LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME:

Manchester United 3-2 Southampton
31 January 2004 - Ref: Graham Barber
Man United scorers: Saha 18, Scholes 37, van Nistelrooy 61
Southampton scorers: Phillips 38, 53

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HEAD TO HEAD TOTALS

League: Man United 44 wins, Southampton 23, Draws 21
Prem: Man United 17 wins, Southampton 5, Draws 2

HEAD TO HEAD at Man United

League: Man United 29 wins, Southampton 7, Draws 8
Prem: Man United 11 wins, Southampton 0, Draws 1