Premier League
Sep 20, 2015 4.00pm
2
3
HT : 1 1
FT
  • Graziano Pelle 13' goal
  • Virgil van Dijk 73' yellowcard
  • Jose Fonte 78' yellowcard
  • Graziano Pelle 85' goal
  • goal Anthony Martial 34'
  • goal Anthony Martial 50'
  • goal Juan Mata 68'

Southampton boss Ronald Koeman hoping to expose 'weak' Daley Blind

Koeman hoping to expose 'weak' Blind

Ronald Koeman has identified Daley Blind as the weak link in Manchester United's defence, claiming that his Southampton players will exploit him at every opportunity on Sunday.

The Dutch midfielder has plugged gaps in central defence this season and could be shifted to left-back tomorrow to cover the injured Luke Shaw.

Red Devils legend Rio Ferdinand claimed that Blind was a "weak point" recently, and Koeman hopes that his defensive frailties are exposed at the St Mary's Stadium.

"On one side I agree [with Ferdinand] about his position," he is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News. "I think he can play very well out of that position but he's not really a strong defender physically. That's sometimes the problem.

"He has a lot of other qualities out of that position that can be very positive for the team.

"It's our job to analyse opponents and, if he plays left or as a centre-back, we can do some movements in attack with crosses. We know that Pelle is very strong and normally he's stronger than Blind is or stronger than [Marcos] Rojo is."

The Saints have won just one of their five Premier League outings so far this season.

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