Manchester United are back in Premier League action on Sunday afternoon against Southampton.
United go into the game on the back of three consecutive victories either side of the international break.
That said, underestimating the Saints would be a mistake and United will need to perform at a high level to get a result at St Mary’s.
Here is a look at three reasons to be wary of our opponents…
They’re three points off the top
Southampton currently sit fifth in the Premier League, just three points below table-toppers Tottenham.
Monday’s 1-1 draw with Wolves made it seven league games unbeaten for the Saints, their best run since November 2013.
Even without Danny Ings, that means Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side will be full of confidence on Sunday.
In this strange Premier League season, Southampton are one of the sides looking to take advantage by mounting a European challenge and United could get caught out.
Complacency
United have steadied the ship after the defeat in Turkey earlier this month.
But United tend to ease up after a few good results, and with complacency usually leading to a disappointing performance.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs to get team selection, message to the players, and tactics spot on.
United have to guard against getting too carried away after three straight wins and put together a run of form to take us up the league.
That means going to Southampton with the right attitude.
‘Fittest team in the league’
As per Hampshire Live, Solskjaer called Southampton the ‘fittest team in the league’ ahead of their trip to Old Trafford in July.
He paid tribute to their pressing but that still caught United, and Paul Pogba in particular, out on the night.
The Saints came on strong later in the game as United dropped deeper and deeper, eventually rescuing a 2-2 draw.
Southampton hunt in packs. Every player knows what they’re doing and opponents have to move the ball quickly or get caught in dangerous areas.
United cannot afford to be sloppy in this one.
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