It appears, recently, that there are two fairly consistent things in football. Mourinho doesn't lose home games. Southampton don't lose at Old Trafford. Either a draw is coming or something has to give.
The Mourinho era started exactly how you would expect. A functional victory. A Zlatan goal. The return of the swagger and smugness that Man Utd fans love and everyone else hates. All things that were as predictable as Piers Morgan meltdown on Twitter.
Southampton could be considered to be adjusting to a new era too, with Koeman moving on to Everton. To the club's eternal credit, it is always seemingly in flux but has always maintained steady run during its latest tenure in the Premier League. The draw with Watford didn't suggest that the panic button needs to be pressed just yet, with new signing Nathan Redmond impressing on his debut.
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So will the Saints secure a hat trick of victories at the Theatre of Dreams? It doesn't bode well. Man Utd look solid and Paul Pogba lurks in the wings. Mourinho has declared him ready to play. Whether that is as a starter or a cameo, time will tell. His transfer fee and ability are box office but they may be a distraction from where this game will be won and lost, namely in the quality of the respective back fours.
Last season, Man Utd had one of the best home defensive records. Southampton had one of the best away defensive records. Man Utd's defence has only got stronger with Eric Bailly, who looks an absolute baller, and the return of Luke Shaw offering more defensively and attacking wise at left back. To be fair, putting a breeze block at left back would be an improvement on Marcus Rojo.
Southampton's back line reads solid on paper but sounds unsettled in press conferences. The Southampton manager, Claude Puel, seemed unhappy with the transfer rumours linking Jose Fonte to Man Utd. They will need to put those things to the back of their minds because this will be a far more potent Man Utd attack than they have faced recently. Shutting Man Utd out is crucial. For all the pace and trickery Southampton have going forward, they are missing that key ingredient: A stone cold killer in front of goal.
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Only one team has beaten Man Utd three seasons in a row at Old Trafford in the Premier League (Man City for those who need to know the pub quiz trivia). I highly doubt Southampton will join that exclusive club tonight. It's a fool who bets on Mourinho losing at home.
Looking for a bet? Why not take a punt on Mata to be the first goal scorer? Bet365 will give you 9/1 on the diminutive Spaniard. If you're a Saint, I'd suggest DusanTadic to score at any time. The Serbian twisted and turned at such a pace in his previous match, you would have thought he was in a Ricky Martin music video.StanJames is offering 6/1.
Words by: Joel Sparks
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