Momentum key for Manchester United

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With the Premier League rapidly coming to an end this season, Southampton have very little to play for with two games left.

The first of those games is at home against Manchester United, who have no chance of making the top four this season.  From Southampton’s point of view, they can still move up the table into 8th place, above West Bromwich Albion and that would represent a good season for Claude Puel and his team.

Finishing outside the top four does not represent a good season for Jose Mourinho and Manchester United.  With so many dropped points during the campaign, it’s hardly surprising they have come up short.

The Portuguese manager has clearly chosen to concentrate on the Europa League in the closing stages of the season.

Trends show Southampton have won only one of their previous seven games in the Premier League.  The Saints ended a run of six games without a win on the weekend as they defeated relegated Middlesbrough 2-1 away from home.

Despite having struggled to pick up wins, the fixtures have not been kind to Southampton and they have played Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal in recent weeks.  Puel’s players managed to pick up just 1 point from those four games, a 0-0 draw at Anfield.

At home, Southampton have won one of their last seven matches in all competitions, which was a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace at the start of April.  They have failed to score in five of those seven games, including the last three.

It’s now just one win from the last six games in all competitions for Manchester United and Mourinho is starting to come under huge pressure.  The draws with Manchester City and Swansea, plus the recent defeats to Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur mean it is impossible for the Red Devils to qualify for the Champions League via the Premier League.

Away form was good up until last weekend, when Manchester United lost at Arsenal and the same happened this weekend, as they went down to Tottenham.

Mourinho is clearly concentrating on the Europa League but momentum is important going into that match.  Manchester United do not want to be heading to Stockholm having ended the domestic season with three or possibly four defeats.

Southampton will pick their strongest XI but are still without the injured duo of Virgil van Dijk and Alex McCarthy.  Striker Shane Long is also a doubt.

Trying to predict the Manchester United team is a lottery but Ashley Young, Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are all out.  Paul Pogba may miss the match for personal reasons but Marouane Fellaini is back from suspension and Eric Bailly will start as he is suspended for the Europa League final.

Manchester United have seemingly given up on the Premier League this season. They cannot be overtaken by seventh place Everton, so seem likely to finish sixth.  Southampton will be keen to play well in-front of their own fans for the penultimate time this season and if Manchester United are not that interested, could win the match, with both teams scoring.

However, if Manchester United come to defend, do not be surprised if the game ends 0-0 given Southampton’s recent home scoring record.