In all the years I've supported Saints (nearly 40!) this is I think only the second time that I've felt confident about us going to Old Trafford and coming away something. The only other occasion was back in the early 80's and we still lost! Normally you visit much more in hope than expectation but this time I have a strong feeling that we can get a result and do something we've not done since a Colin Clarke brace back in January 1988 win and get 3 points! How is everyone else feeling?
We're obviously underdogs but we'll never have a better chance to go there and win! (although maybe we will if Cortese has his way). They look fairly unimaginative, leaky and unsure of their tactics whilst we're the complete opposite. Really think we can play on their uncertainty and on the uncertianty of the crowd and nick a 1-0. That having been said, I like David Moyes and I'd really like to see him turn it around sooner rather than later, otherwise no British managers will get opportunities at the big clubs
We have a better chance than ever before. United are full of talent, so we have to go at them from the off...not that Mauricio knows any other way! We must play on their insecurities. United are still favourites, but am loving the feel good factor around Saints at the moment.
How many of our players do you think would make their first team? Surely Shaw, Clyne and Schneiderlin would?
We have nothing to lose. We go into the match in 4th place. We should go there and attack, not sit back. If we lose 3 or 4-0 so be it.
Personally I would put Boruc in fron of their keeper and on current form three of our back 4. Maybe Victor or Morgan as well. They are dertainly stronger up front..
I would be happy with a draw I'm sure the plan will be to close down midfield and if we can nick a goal that would be a bonus! United are still strong upfront and capable of scoring a goal from nothing so let's not get carried away :
There are always moments in a game where a team should score and doesn't or someone slips and lets in an easy goal...that is why individual games are hard to predict. However, I am willing to predict that we are going to have had a good season when judged on the final league table. We keep possession, can score and have a miserly defence...all the makings of a good side. We can't judge on one game (whatever the result), though a point or three at OT would certainly enforce our confidence.
Result-wise, I can't say that I'm expecting anything really. But hey oh, no biggy. We follow it up with three winnable games in a row.
We dominated Man Utd twice last season and got nothing. Without Van Persie we would have probably got 3 points at least. But thats the trouble with Van Persie or even Rooney, you can play really well for most of the game and one moment of magic and you are undone. What I am anticipating is a proper battle with most of the play bottled up in midfield. I could see it being 0-0. I can also see this prediction coming back to haunt me!
I am feeling confident which is a great feeling especially against United. Even if we lose, United would still be below us and even if results do not go our way lowest we can drop in to 7th as Everton are playing Hull. Lets keep this up saints, top of the league by christmas. (ok might be getting bit far ahead of myself now.)
I don't expect a positive result. However I do have more hope of a good result than I normally would. Still, I can't have unrealistic expectations just yet, I still expect us to lose.
We still haven't really seen our supposed strength this season, so any time now that fluidity that is missing from the final aspects of our offensive game is surely going to kick in. It was that element of our game that served us so well against the big boys last year and wouldn't it be lovely if it were to reappear at Old Trafford. Provided that doesn't coincide with a sudden spate of individual errors at the back, we'll give them a real run for their money.
Unusually United fans are not overly confident. Think the west Brom result in particular was a real bone shaker. Not a fluke though as WB showed against Arsenal. I just think the top whole top half will be much tighter this season.
