St Mary’s Stadium is the setting for the 134th encounter between Manchester United and Southampton in tomorrow’s (14 September) Premier League appetiser.
Although we have recently welcomed the second week of September, the fixture already supplies a must-win feel – with a solitary victory from six between both.
Erik ten Hag’s side aims to overcome the adversity of a humbling 3-0 defeat at the hands of arch-rivals Liverpool – while Russel Martin is licking his wounds following a 3-1 beating against Brentford.
This curtain raiser has the potential to set the tone for a bumper weekend of top-flight action, and we’ve collected some crucial information to whet the appetite.
An unforgettable debut
With three minutes of added time remaining during a 2016 Premier League stalemate at Old Trafford, a struggling United side were stung by a Charlie Austin winner – eight minutes into his Saints debut.
It was the game’s only goal and condemned United to their lowest points tally (37) after 23 Premier League fixtures.
At the time, this was the 17th league goal scored at the Theatre of Dreams that season – the least of England’s top-four divisions.
However, while travelling celebrations were manic, it was the last time the Southerners tasted victory against the 20-time English champions, with the Reds unbeaten in the next 14 fixtures (six wins & eight draws).
A happy hunting ground
The five-hour trip has generally been a profitable journey for the Manchester side.
Ironically, Southampton’s last victory at St Mary’s came following a James Beattie goal in the dying minutes to seal a 1-0 win in 2003.
Since that forgettable day, the Old Trafford side are unbeaten in 12 Premier League trips to the ground, winning seven and drawing five.
The last encounter ended in another 1-0 victory, with Bruno Fernandes sealing the three points for Ten Hag in August 2022.
A strong record against the new boys
Say what you will about form and the downfall since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, but their form against newly-promoted sides has not dipped.
Impressively, the Reds have tasted defeat once in 30 fixtures against promoted sides, winning 22 and drawing seven.
The last defeat was a memorable 4-1 loss at Vicarage Road against Watford, with then-manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer relieved of his duties 24 hours later.
Since that painful day, the side has recorded 15 wins from their last 17 encounters with Premier League new boys.
A bizarre moment in Premier League history
Cast your mind to the 1995-96 campaign, and Fergie’s men were coasting towards league success.
The glamourous side arrived at The Dell for an April encounter, undefeated in 12 games and supplying a scintillating brand of attacking football.
However, having fallen to a shock 3-0 deficit at the break, the Scot ordered his side to discard their now-iconic grey kit for alternative colours.
Ryan Giggs pulled one back in a 3-1 defeat, but the strip was discarded after five unsuccessful outings – with poor vision hailed as the reason.
Following the fixture, Umbro reduced the price of the kit because of the backlash from that memorable day!
So, history seems to bode well for Erik ten Hag as his side completes preparations for tomorrow’s return to club football.
Thankfully, the Dutchman will not have to deal with the perils of a strip change at half-time.
How do you see Southampton and Manchester United playing out in 2024?
Let us know in the comments or across our social channels.
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