Red Devil Armada
Fansided

Manchester United vs Southampton – EFL Cup Final Preview

By Rajat Singh

FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: GRADIENT ADDED - COMPOSITE OF TWO IMAGES - Image numbers (L) 630621100 and 632284824) In this composite image a comparision has been made between Claude Puel manager of Southampton (L) and Jose Mourinho, Manager of Manchester United. Southampton and Manchester United meet in the EFL Cup Final at Wembley Stadium on February 26, 2017 in London,England. ***LEFT IMAGE*** SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28: Claude Puel manager of Southampton looks on prior to the Premier League match between Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur at St Mary's Stadium on December 28, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)***RIGHT IMAGE*** STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - JANUARY 21: Jose Mourinho, Manager of Manchester United looks on during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Manchester United at Bet365 Stadium on January 21, 2017 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: GRADIENT ADDED - COMPOSITE OF TWO IMAGES - Image numbers (L) 630621100 and 632284824) In this composite image a comparision has been made between Claude Puel manager of Southampton (L) and Jose Mourinho, Manager of Manchester United. Southampton and Manchester United meet in the EFL Cup Final at Wembley Stadium on February 26, 2017 in London,England. ***LEFT IMAGE*** SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28: Claude Puel manager of Southampton looks on prior to the Premier League match between Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur at St Mary's Stadium on December 28, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)***RIGHT IMAGE*** STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - JANUARY 21: Jose Mourinho, Manager of Manchester United looks on during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Manchester United at Bet365 Stadium on January 21, 2017 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next

TACTICS AND FORMATIONS

United are expected to field at least one of Anthony Martial or Marcus Rashford in the starting lineup as Mourinho could use eithers’ pace to find the pockets of spaces in Southampton’s defence while going forward. Exploiting those gaps and supplying that killer pass to the main man up front, Zlatan Ibrahimović would be something that Jose would expect from them. The big Serb has already netted 24 times for United this season and would be keen to add more.

One of the most improved players this season for United has been Antonio Valencia. The winger-converted-right back has been a mainstay in Mourinho’s side and he rightly deserves so. With performing defensive duties and flying down the wing with equal ease, the Ecuadorian is an important player for United as he would be keeping a check on the attacking threat posed by Southampton forwards.

One of those strikers is the new signing, Manolo Gabbiadini who has served as the target man for his team. Gabbiadini has been instrumental despite playing just two games as he has scored three goals in them. Puel has relied on Nathan Redmond, and Gabbiadini recently, for most part of the season as he has been the prime source of goals for the Saints.

Home/Manchester United News