Newly promoted Southampton spent the FIFA Days holiday licking their wounds after opening the Premier League season with three straight defeats - the Saints' first such defeat in 12 years.
With criticism mounting, manager Russell Martin admitted after the 3-1 defeat to Brentford that their style of play "needs to be a bit simpler".
How the recent break will “heal” Southampton will need to answer in another tough test on paper, when Manchester United visit St Mary's on Saturday lunchtime (local time).
Not only have Southampton failed to win any of their last eight home games in the English top flight (D2 L6) - conceding 19 goals - they have also failed to win in their last 15 meetings with the Red Devils (D8 L7).
The last time they won at home against Man United was August 2003.
It was a run Erik ten Hag could not afford to end, despite a dismal start for United. Winning just one of four competitive games (losing three) - including defeats to Manchester City and Liverpool - put the Dutchman under immense pressure.
If anything, it's been a similar start to Ten Hag's first season at Old Trafford, which saw them finish third. That may partly explain Ten Hag's confidence that his side "will be fine" as the season progresses.
But for that to happen, Man United must first improve their inconsistent form, as their last seven away games have yielded just five points (W1 D2 L4).
Link to watch Southampton vs Man United live
https://xem.kplus.vn/discovery/Channels_subpage_SPORT1?internalTitle=Channels_K%2BSPORT1
