Ronald Koeman says the real Dutch worry is not his relationship with Van Gaal but RVP coming to form
While all eyes will be on an anticipated frosty handshake between Koeman and Louis van Gaal the Saints boss points to a resurgent Robin van Persie as the man to watch.
Dutch striker van Persie, who was branded by van Gaal last month as "not good enough at the moment" is, according to Koeman, one of Europe's greatest strikers.
That's why his Southampton players have been put on RVP alert tomorrow night despite their coach's commitment to a total Dutch-style style of attacking football.
Koeman plays down van Gaal rift [AMBIENT]
He is a great player and one of the best Dutch strikers
Ronald Koeman
Van Persie has been criticised in several quarters over his indifferent start to the season, but Koeman said: "He is a great player and one of the best Dutch strikers.
"If you are a player at the highest level and you are not scoring, or the team is not winning, then you will get criticism. But he's still a great player."
And Koeman admits van Persie is not alone in the Manchester United camp.
Pre-match speculation about the two managers alleged dislike of each other was brushed aside as a thing of the past as he delivered his philosophy for the future. And praise for van Gaal.
He hailed his Dutch rival as "a great coach" who now needs time to make United great again, saying: "I think they are on the way back after winning the last four games and I think he will get the time because they have the finances to get the best players they want.
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Koeman is not worried about a frosty reception from United boss Van Gaal
"The game is not about both managers because that's private. We will shake hands and that is enough. I prefer to talk about the game."
Van Gaal told Sunday Express Sport that he too will observe pre and after match formalities - so there will be a handshake.
He said: "That is not any problem. You have read the Dutch papers more than I have."
What unites both managers - unsurprising given their Ajax roots - is their belief in a footballing philosophy that puts attack at its core.
Koeman said: "Always when you don't win some games you need a win. But the focus has to be not about winning but how we play. I believe in our way of playing because that brings us all the points we have now.
"If we show our quality in ball possession we have chances to win. If we play like we did in the last 20 minutes against Manchester City we won't win."
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Koeman called van Persie one of the best Dutch strikers
"Normally if Southampton play Manchester United then Man United is the favourite. But when they analyse our team they know it will be a tough one for them. It is a nice challenge for us on Monday.
"We have had a lot of good positive attention about our way of playing, about our results, and that's OK, that's enough.
"We know what we are doing and we have to keep doing it."
LVG takes the same line. He said. "The main thing is that the players want to follow the philosophy which is why despite the many changes we have continued to pick up points."
He admitted that the biggest challenge on arriving at Old Trafford was to try to steer the club into the top four.
"Of course I knew it was a big challenge but I accepted it and it's the reason why I'm here."
* Koeman confirmed that Southampton will have notable absentees tomorrow with Morgan, Toby Alderweireld, James Ward-Prowse and Jack Cork all ruled out with injures. Cork is likely to be out for six weeks with damaged ankle ligaments.'Quotey x 14pt FGH on 17pt leading and this number of decks would be lovely please'