Louis van Gaal’s resurgent Manchester United will have their eyes on third place in the Premier League table when they tackle Ronald Koeman’s sputtering Southampton at St Mary’s on Monday.
.
After winning only three of their first seven league games, a run of four consecutive victories has taken United to within touching distance of early-season surprise package Southampton.
.
Koeman’s side shot up the table by winning eight of their nine games between late August and early November, but a draw at Aston Villa and losses to Manchester City and Arsenal extinguished their momentum.
.
Victory for United will lift them above Southampton into third place and allow Van Gaal’s team to close to within eight points of leaders Chelsea, who crashed to a 2-1 defeat at Newcastle United on Saturday.
.
It would also further galvanise United’s confidence ahead of next weekend’s home game with arch enemies Liverpool, but Van Gaal has warned his players not to get ahead of themselves.
.
“Southampton play better at this time and have more points at this moment than Liverpool, so I think it’s good that we have to play Southampton now,” the United manager said.
.
“I think they have a good squad, a lot of players that I know and who were offered to us. I think they are able to come in the top four, but that’s also because I believe in the management of Ronald Koeman and his brother (Erwin).”
.
Van Gaal’s relationship with his fellow Dutchman Koeman provides one of the sub-plots for Monday’s game.
.
Koeman, 51, successfully worked under 63-year-old Van Gaal at Barcelona, but the pair fell out at Ajax in 2004, when Koeman was coach and Van Gaal technical director.
.
Van Gaal described Koeman as “weak” in his autobiography, but the two men have refused to discuss their relationship in the build-up to the game, with both declaring the matter “private”.
.
Of more pressing concern for Koeman is the spate of injuries that has afflicted his side during their three-game winless run.
.
Midfielder Jack Cork has been ruled out for six weeks after damaging ankle ligaments during Wednesday’s 1-0 loss at Arsenal, while centre-back Toby Alderweireld is a doubt after being forced off by a hamstring problem in the same game.
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate