With the season drawing to a close with a trip to the south coast, United fans can breathe a huge sigh if relief that it’s finally over, and get on with looking forwards to what will surely be an action-packed summer at Old Trafford.
As Giggs steps aside and Van Gaal comes in, there will be huge interest in how he adapts to the role of making United a force again after Moyes predictably oversaw their worst ever Premier League season.
For Southampton, much delight at how they have acquitted themselves this season can be harboured by the fans at St Mary’s. The Saints have a great looking, young squad and a really impressive manager. If they can keep the group together for next season, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be challenging the top six, an aim which United fell short of themselves this year.
Southampton Team News
Jay Rodriguez is a long-term, absentee after damaging his cruciate knee ligaments, he was a candidate for the England squad, and he has been in excellent form in the run-up to the World Cup. Gaston Ramirez could miss out and it is likely that both Kelvin Davies and Maya Yoshida too will be missing.
Manchester United Team News
Only Phil Jones is on the treatment table right now, so Giggs has a large squad to pick from. With so many World Cup contenders within the side, we can expect to see many of the key players rested for fear of having anything like the injury Rodrigues got in advance of the biggest tournament in the world.
James Wilson looks a promising young player after notching two against Hull in mid-week, and he may well be given another start here. As for the rest, Januzaj and Nani are likely to start on the wings, and Mata may be given a game to try to force his way into the final Spanish squad with one last performance.
Prediction
United were involved in a 5-5 at West Brom on the last day of last season, and there will be goals today too. Expect some exhibition type stuff and a great atmosphere in the final game of the campaign. Southampton were excellent at Old Trafford and deservedly drew there, and I think it could be score draw this time around too. Both teams will be looking to the summer to see how any transfer activity will affect their squads. It is likely that both sides will be witnessing some pretty extensive transfer activity.
Southampton 2-2 Manchester United
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