Trip to Southampton

Southampton 1 Manchester United 2 - Barclays Premier League (Sunday 15 May 2005) Att: 32,066

The last encounter between United and Southampton was particularly memorable for the Premier League new-boys as the reds ended the Saints’ 27-year stay in the top flight of English football.

The day started brightly for Harry Redknapp’s side after John O’Shea bundled the ball into his own net with just ten minutes on the clock to give them genuine hope of a last day survival.

However, United pulled themselves level soon after when 21-year old Darren Fletcher converted O’Shea’s cross for his third goal of the campaign. Master goal scorer Ruud van Nistelrooy pounced to head home an Alan Smith cross to put United ahead just after the hour. With other results going against them, and United holding on to end a disappointing trophy-less season on a high, the Saints were relegated to the Championship.

United: Carroll, O'Shea, Brown, Ferdinand, Silvestre; Fortune, Fletcher, Smith, Giggs; Rooney (Saha, 74), van Nistelrooy (P Neville, 87). Subs not used: Ricardo, Kléberson, Keane. Scorers: O’Shea OG, 10; Fletcher, 19, van Nistelrooy, 63.


Southampton 0 Manchester United 1 – FA Premier League (Monday 24 August 1992) Att: 15,623

United’s first Premier League clash with Southampton will forever be in the record books as perhaps the starting point of United’s recent golden era of English top flight domination.

After two defeats and a draw to open the campaign, the reds were still awaiting their first Premier League victory and in vital need of 3 points to kick-start their season.

United were also searching for their first clean sheet of the new season, and looked more solid than in previous weeks, with the game appearing to be heading for a goalless draw. New signing Dion Dublin was making his first start for the reds after three previous substitute appearances. With full time fast approaching, Dublin claimed his first goal for United, scoring a last-minute winner to seal the first Premier League win, beginning a run of 14 games unbeaten in all competitions en route to the club’s first league title in 26 years.

United: Schmeichel, Phelan, Bruce, Pallister, Irwin; Ferguson, Ince, McClair, Giggs; Dublin, Hughes. Subs not used: Walsh, Kanchelskis, Wallace. Scorers: Dublin, 89.

Opening Day Defeat

It was a disappointing start to the season for the 19-time league winners as they succumbed to defeat at Goodison Park in a tough opening encounter.

Despite a promising debut for £12million signing Shinji Kagawa as well as an excellent display in net from David De Gea, United's stars were outplayed by a determined Everton side. In particular, 6 foot 4 inch midfielder Marouane Fellaini was a huge threat all night, with United's make-shift defence struggling to handle the Belgian international.

After a lacklustre performance from the Reds, it was inevitably Fellaini who converted a header from a corner early in the second half that sent United crashing to their first opening day defeat in 8 years.

With injuries to Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, it was left to Michael Carrick to partner returning captain Nemanja Vidic at the heart of the defence, but alongside fellow midfielder Antonio Valencia, who stepped in at right back, found life tough to restrain the power of Everton's direct football.

Upfront, with new signing Robin Van Persie sat on the bench, Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck struggled to find space and create clearcut chances, with Nani having a particularly difficult evening. Even after the inclusion of Van Persie and Ashley Young, no openings were found, and other than Tom Cleverley's shot that was brilliantly cleared off the line by Phil Jagielka, the Reds failed to test the hosts' goal.

Player Ratings:

De Gea, 9, Valencia, 5, Carrick, 5, Vidic, 5, Evra, 5, Scholes, 6, Cleverley, 6 (Anderson), Nani, 3 (Young), Kagawa, 7, Rooney, 4, Welbeck, 5 (Van Persie)

Man of the Match:

David De Gea - A stunning display from the young Spaniard, with a number of sensational saves which kept the Reds in contention.

Reds Lose Out on Lucas

After a summer of intense speculation, the Lucas Moura transfer saga is finally over after the 19 year old put pen to paper on a deal taking him to big spenders Paris Saint Germain.
The French side have splashed £35million on the highly-rated Brazilian, a figure Sir Alex Ferguson described as 'ridiculous'.

United will now set their full attention on capturing Robin van Persie, although negotiations have been tough thus far, with Arsenal remaining stubborn on a £25million asking price. However, it seems the Dutchman has decided Old Trafford is his preferred move, with talks at an advanced stage despite strong interest from Juventus and Man City.