This weekend’s Premier League action finishes with one of the best fixtures from match day six; Manchester United’s visit to Southampton, kickoff at 4pm on Sunday.
United’s start to the 2015/16 campaign has been an intriguing one. Whilst the Red Devils seem to be still some way off playing their best football, they’re third in the Premier League table with an impressive ten points from five games. They also boast the second-best defensive record in the league, their three concedes only bettered by the seemingly impenetrable Manchester City.
Southampton, meanwhile, find themselves in eleventh but are undoubtedly a good quality side, famed for enthusing one of the best-organised defences in the division with exciting quality in the final third.
With that in mind, this is likely to be an incredibly close game decided by perhaps a solitary goal – so victory could well come down to which side dominates the key individual battles.
Being the ever-helpful bunch we are at Football FanCast, we’ve listed FIVE of them…
MORGAN SCHNEIDERLIN VS VICTOR WANYAMA
Once brothers in arms at Southampton, forging a deep midfield partnership that played a pivotal role Ronald Koeman’s side claiming the second-best defensive record in the Premier League last season, Morgan Schneiderlin faces his ex-employers and former play-breaking accomplice Victor Wanyama on Sunday.
Both are enforcers of an incredibly similar mould, boasting 6 foot 2 frames and famed for the control they bring to the engine room, so this clash at the epicentre of the fixture could well reach titanic proportions and have a deciding outcome on the final result.
In terms of talent, most would put the France international ahead of his Kenyan counter-part, having earned a £25million move to Old Trafford after proving himself to be one of the Premier League’s most formidable ball-winners.
He’s continued in a similar vein for the Red Devils, averaging 3.6 tackles and 2.8 interceptions per match, but if anybody is well-versed in the 25 year-old’s weaknesses, it’s surely his former team-mate. Likewise, Wanyama’s form shouldn’t be discredited; averaging 1.8 tackles, 3 interceptions and 3.3 aerial duels per match this term.
With both sides demonstrating considerable sturdiness at the back since the start of the season, Schneiderlin and Wanyama will be well aware that one error of judgement in the middle of the park could be all it takes to lose the match.
GRAZIANO PELLE VS DALEY BLIND
Midfielder-come-defender Daley Blind has proved an incredibly shrewd choice at the heart of Manchester United’s defence, providing the intelligence and technical quality partner Chris Smalling notoriously lacks.
He’s been arguably United’s best player so far this season, typified by a Man of the Match performance against Liverpool last weekend in which he scored from an expertly-executed free kick and also made a goal-line clearance, but you get the feeling the 5 foot 11 Dutchman’s lack of height and aerial prowess will eventually catch up with him.
Enter Southampton’s Graziano Pelle, a typically Italian target man who measures in at an imperious 6 foot 4. He’s averaged 4.4 successful aerial duels per match this term – the eighth best return in the Premier League – and has also notched up two goals from five appearances.
If the 30 year-old manages to isolate Blind at the back post, the miss-match could well be devastating. Likewise, Pelle is amongst the Premier League’s best at using his frame to bring others into the game and Blind could struggle to contain that level of power.
It’s therefore imperative Smalling looks to protect his aerially-impaired partner as much as possible. As previously mentioned, however, if Pelle sticks to Blind United could be in for a tough afternoon.
MARCOS ROJO VS DUSAN TADIC
Marcos Rojo looks set to get the nod at No.3 following Luke Shaw’s double leg-break in midweek, having replaced the England international during the 2-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven.
The Argentina international is an experienced defender and very physical brand of full-back, possessing a 6 foot 1 frame which has often seen him feature at centre-half, but a lack of match sharpness could cost him against one of the Premier League’s most prolific creators in Dusan Tadic.
Indeed, the Serbian international grabbed seven assists in 24 starts last term and has started the 2015/16 campaign in a similar vein, his 3.8 created chances per match being the third-best return in the Premier League. He’s also bagged two goals and one assist in four starts, so there’s no question the 26 year-old is enjoying a bit of a purple patch at the moment.
Considering Rojo’s yet to feature in the Premier League this term, he may struggle to contain the playmaking attacker on Sunday. Adequate protection from the midfield is required.
JUAN MATA VS MATT TARGETT
It’s a similar case on the opposite flank in regards to Juan Mata and understudy left-back Matt Targett, who has been filling in for the injured Ryan Bertrand this season. The 20 year-old certainly hasn’t let down Southampton when called upon over the last two years but through lack of experience, he’s still the weakest link in their starting line up.
Unfortunately, he’ll be up against Man United’s most prolific attacking threat on Sunday. Indeed, Mata tops the Red Devils’ goals, assists and creation charts in the Premier League with one strike, two set-ups and 2.2 created chances per match respectively.
First and foremost a No.10, Mata likes to drift inside as much as possible, so Targett needs to ensure he’s constantly forcing the Spaniard down the touchline. Easier said than done, of course, and Koeman will hope the likes of Jay Rodriguez and Victor Wanyama offer as much assistance as possible.
JOSE FONTE VS WAYNE ROONEY/ANTHONY MARTIAL
There are murmurings Wayne Rooney could return to fitness in time for Sunday, although Manchester United will be reluctant to rush their captain back from a hamstring injury too quickly. Likewise, it remains to be seen if he actually starts as a centre-forward upon his return, having managed just eight shots during his first four Premier League appearances – none of which resulted in a goal.
Marouane Fellaini is an option but Louis van Gaal showed faith in £36million signing Anthony Martial in midweek; his blistering pace will be of particular benefit to a Red Devils side who have lacked consistent penetrative threat so far this season.
No matter who starts on Sunday, however, they won’t be in for an easy afternoon against Southampton skipper Jose Fonte. The Portugal international is one of the most consistent defenders in the league and one of the most impressive outside of the top six, his fantastic reading of the game demonstrated by 3.2 interceptions per match last term – the most of any Premier League centre-half.
Indeed, Southampton are rock solid at the back, claiming three league clean sheets this season and conceding just five times overall, and much of that has to do with Fonte’s leadership and organisation.
Considering Rooney’s struggle for form and Martial’s limited experience, either could find themselves trapped inside the 31 year-old’s pocket on Sunday.