Southampton vs Manchester United: Premier League match preview

A look ahead to this week’s clash at St Mary's

Southampton will take on Manchester United as they look to maintain their position in the top three of the Premier League on Monday.

Southampton had a flying start of the season but it looks like that momentum might be fading away. Defeats to Manchester City and Arsenal saw Ronald Koeman's side slip down to third and United are on their heels with only one point behind.

Louis van Gaal’s team appear to have turned the corner, winning their last four games. United struggled earlier on in the season but look like serious top four contesters again.

United’s injury list is gradually decreasing with Radamel Falcao and Wayne Rooney should be fit for Monday's game, although Angel di Maria, Luke Shaw and Daley Blind remain unavailable.

Robin van Persie scored a beautiful goal in United’s 3-0 over Hull but it remains to be seen whether he has overcome the criticism he faced in recent weeks. The Dutch striker appeared to be out of form and may have lose his spot in the starting XI to the Colombian striker.

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman will be without Belgian midfielder Toby Alderweireld who suffered a hamstring injury against Arsenal.

Graziano Pelle moved from Feyenoord to Southampton last summer and enjoyed an incredible start of the seasonm but hasn’t been able to find the net since 18 October. The Italian striker will have to be well prepared to face David de Gea who is in the form of his life.

An exciting game is expected on Monday and it is the first time two Dutch managers will face each other in a Premier League game.

Kick-off: Monday 8pm

Southampton 1 (Lambert) – 1 Man Utd (Mata) Sun 11 May 2014

Man Utd 1 (van Persie) – 1 Southampton (Lallana) Sat 19 Oct 2013

Man Utd 2 (Rooney 8, 27) -1 Southampton (Rodriguez) Wed 30 Jan 2013

STATS...

Southampton have scored the first goal in 4 of their last 5 Premier League meetings with United but lost 3 and won 0 of those 4 matches.

Manchester United have won nine and lost just one of the last 12 Premier League games against Saints.

This will be the first Premier League game to be contested by two Dutch managers.

Manchester United have used a league-high 31 players this season and David de Gea is the only Red Devil to play in all 14 games.

ODDS...

Southampton to win 2.7

Draw 3.4

Manchester United to win 2.6

TV: Live on Sky Sports, 8pm