Can Southampton exact their revenge on Manchester United?

Southampton manager Claude Puel will be desperate for revenge against Manchester United

Southampton host Manchester United at St Mary’s in the Premier League on Wednesday evening, and will be determined to get a result as payback for February’s EFL Cup final defeat.

The Saints have a good head-to-head record against the Red Devils and are fancied by the bookmakers as the out-of-form visitors will have a weakened starting eleven.

Southampton won’t lie down in their penultimate home game. Can they win it?

Saints enjoying late-season resurgence

Claud Puel’s Southampton side are currently ninth in the Premier League table with 45 points from 36 games, having won one and drawn two of their last four outings. The South Coast club haven’t been too convincing on home soil this season, winning only six of 17 games at St Mary’s, and will be motivated to move above eighth-placed West Bromwich Albion to strengthen Puel’s job security.

Southampton have suffered from a lack of wins ahead of this week’s clash but have fared well in games against Manchester United recently and won’t play with fear at St Mary’s as a result. The Saints played out an enthralling five-goal thriller in the EFL Cup final, losing out to a goal in the final few minutes, and will be determined to prove they can beat the elite clubs in the division.

Manchester United out-of-form and missing key players

Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United side are sixth in the division with 65 points, having gone four games without a win, losing back-to-back. The Red Devils have picked up just one point from their last three away games in the Premier League and won’t have a full strength eleven given they’re keeping their best players rested for the upcoming Europa League final.

Manchester United have come unstuck to Southampton in recent seasons too, suffering a 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford in January 2016 and January 2015. United have a good Premier League record at St Mary’s, however, boasting three wins and a draw from their last four head-to-heads, but their focus on the Europa League has seen performances questioned – potentially giving the impetus to Southampton at home – and Southampton are 7/4 to win against Manchester United in Wednesday’s Premier League clash as a result.

Southampton will channel the pain of losing the EFL Cup final and have been a bogey team of United in recent seasons. A win could see the Saints move up a place in the table, confining Manchester United to six-place in the process, but can Claude Puel best Jose Mourinho?