Two middle aged Dutchmen walk onto a pitch…
This isn’t the opening line from an elaborate stand up routine, but rather an expected observation from Old Trafford where Manchester United host Southampton today.
The two men in question are, of course, managers Louis Van Gaal and Ronald Koeman.
These two have more history than the entire box set of Blackadder. Koeman served as Van Gaal’s assistant manager at Barcelona in the late 1990s, but that’s all a bit academic.
Things got interesting a few years later when Koeman was Ajax manager and Van Gaal was the club’s technical director. The pair had a mysterious dispute and Van Gaal ended up leaving the club.
If rumours are to be believed, the dispute was caused by Koeman taking all the biscuits from the bottom part of the USA tin. This is yet to be confirmed or denied.
A nice little back story to a game which already has a plenty of bite.
The table would suggest there is very little between these two teams; United entered this weekend just one point ahead of Southampton who sit in fourth.
The Red Devils are unbeaten in 10 Premier League games, but have drawn three of their last four matches. The Saints are unbeaten in five games, but are yet to beat any of the top five sides in the league.
We’re picking out a score draw for this one. United look to have serious fire-power at their disposal, especially with the return of Angel Di Maria, but we just can’t ignore Saints excellent form since Christmas.
The first goalscorer market is equally as interesting, with both sides having some fantastic talent within their ranks… and we don’t just mean Graziano Pelle’s hairstylist.
However, it’s Wayne Rooney we’ve gone for. He’s a player who looks entirely rejuvenated since taking up a slightly deeper role and we expect him to open the scoring today.
The scorecast we’ve gone for, with Wayne Rooney scoring first and the game finishing 1-1, is priced at 28/1.
