Southampton's Lallana calls for concentration against Man United

Adam Lallana said his team are looking to replicate the performance of Everton when they face Manchester United.

Adam Lallana, the Southampton midfielder, said his team are looking to replicate the performance of Everton when they face Manchester United today.

United travel to Southampton looking to pick up their second win of the season, following an opening weekend defeat to David Moyes's side at Goodison Park.

Southampton are still without a point after defeats to Manchester City and Wigan Athletic.

"You look around the pitch and they have got strength in every area, obviously [Wayne] Rooney was injured but [Robin] Van Persie comes in," Lallana said. "The experience they have got; [Paul] Scholes, [Ryan] Giggs and [Rio] Ferdinand, the list is endless really.

"I think if we concentrate on what we are good at, we are at home I think we have got a chance of getting a result.

"I think Everton proved the other week that if you come out of the traps and press them and get the fans behind you then you can create chances and go on to win games. I think we will play our own game ... create chances and get crosses in the box and we have a good chance."

With England international Rooney missing through injury it is highly probable that new signing Van Persie will continue in attack, with Danny Welbeck, the England forward, a possible partner.

The 21 year old recently signed an improved contract and with Rooney sidelined, is set to be England's leading forward when they open their World Cup qualifying campaign in Moldova next Friday.

Indeed, the only downside for Welbeck at present comes from the arrival of Van Persie and Shinji Kagawa threatening his place in the team.

Not that Welbeck sees it that way. "It is really healthy competition," he said. "We have a wide variety of strikers to choose from and that creates a good selection problem for the manager. It will have a good effect on the team."

Follow us