Central Midfield: Michael Carrick
The consistent deep-playmaker for Man Utd is bound to start again in his favourite role in the heart of the midfield. He will be a very key figure in the team as he will have to get the passes rolling from the beginning and set the tone for the game. We have to remember that Southampton press very high and are a very energetic team, especially in the first 50-60 minutes. Carrick’s controlling abilities will be highly needed on the last match day.
Box-to Box midfielder: Darren Fletcher
Darren Fletcher is expected to be chosen ahead of Marouane Fellaini in this midfield role. Fletcher offers a bit more agility in the middle coupled with his strong engine for the box to box activity. Fellaini generally tends to get ruffled when closed down heavily, something which doesn’t bother Fletcher that much. Fletcher offers more work rate, despite being average in technique. In this match, probably energy is going to matter a lot as Southampton bombard energy and generally tire after the hour mark.
Right Midfield: Antonio Valencia
Valencia has been performing decent off late and his contributions have been better both offensively as well as defensively. He has been among the better wingers in comparison to Nani and Young, despite having a poor season himself. He would have to be his usual energetic self and concentrate well during the match. He is a very athletic player and would fully be expected to track Luke Shaw’s overlapping runs.
Left Midfield: Adnan Januzaj
Adnan Januzaj may edge Shinji Kagawa for this role. The young Belgian has been amazing this season having drawn comparisons to the Red Devils’ former hero Cristiano Ronaldo. Januzaj has flair on the pitch, and has a vision that is overwhelming for a youngster. But he would have to be alert on the pitch and will need to combine well with the other players, else the Saints won’t be too saintly on the Red Devils!
Playmaker/Second Striker: Juan Mata
Mata is widely expected to start in his favourite role, in the hole behind the striker. He will be given a free role and would be expected to create chances and link up play with his team-mates. Much of the onus would be on Mata to set the tempo in the advanced areas of the pitch giving directions to Valencia and Januzaj. There is a good chance that Southampton may employ a man-marker in one of their defensive midfielders, just like how Sunderland employed Lee Cattermole to mark him. He would have to rise beyond the usual and offer more on the pitch especially when he’s tightly marked.
Striker/Centre Forward: Robin van Persie
The Dutch marksman marked his return from injury with a well taken goal against Hull City and would be expected to lead the line away at Southampton in the absence of Wayne Rooney who is nursing a minor groin injury. Robin van Persie will need to get into his rhythm and be at his clinical best to propel the Red Devils to a win. In a free-form system with Juan Mata, he would have to link-up play and create chances for the Spanish play-maker as well.
