Time To Beat United And Kill The Ghost Of 2005

When Saints were relegated in 2005 it was Manchester United who put them down on the final day of the season, but the way in which they celebrated was what really stuck in the throat.

On that day in 2005 Saints lost to United 2-1 after taking a 10th minute lead, but it wasn't just the defeat it was the manner in which United' players and fans behaved towards Saints supporters that galled.

Roy Keane was perhaps the main culprit on the playing side mocking clearly distraught Saints supporters still sat in the stand as the United players warmed down, but in general the travelling support was happy to rub salt in the wounds.

United fans would say in their defence that that is football, but they would be wrong, I remember when we played Wimbledon of the final day of the season and helped relegate them with a win, at the final whistle Saints supporters didn't taunt the Wimbledon fans they applauded them and sympathised with them at their plight.

But since that day in the four league meetings since plus a couple of FA Cup games at St Mary's we have yet to beat United suffering losses in both cup games then a defeat two yeas ago when a Van Persie hat trick helped overcome a 2-1 lead we held until the final minutes to see the visitors win 3-2.

Last season we met again on the final day of the season at St Mary's and this would have been an ideal time to gain revenge for that defeat 9 years earlier, however it was not to be and a 1-1 draw mattered little in terms of the League table to either side.

Now we host them again and for the first time in many year's in the League its a game where Saints play United with something actually at stake between the two sides so this would be an ideal time to lay the ghost of 2005.

A Saints win would not only finally be closure on that horrible day, but would see us put distance between us in third and United in fourth and not only that but keep us five points clear fifth place.

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