Any game against Manchester United is always one to look forward to, but I think today’s fixture has a bit more significance to it, given recent results for both teams.

Nobody here was getting carried away with the excellent start we’ve made to the season and, equally, we are not getting too down in the wake of two consecutive defeats.

We are determined not to let the results against Southampton and Newcastle affect our confidence and derail the fine start that we enjoyed.

If, at the start of the season, we’d have been offered a top four place in the Premier League table in the first week of November then we’d have all gladly taken it – and when you add in a quarter-final of the Carabao Cup, it adds up to a solid opening two months.

However, that’s not to take away the disappointment of the setbacks at St Mary’s and St James’ Park.

There wasn’t a great deal in either of the games, albeit we probably got what we deserved at Southampton.

They are a strong, well-organised unit and once they get ahead they can be compact and resolute, which we discovered to our cost.

Last weekend, I again watched from the sidelines as both ourselves and Newcastle failed to make any real impact on the game. I was expecting a much better contest than I saw.

There was a touch of good fortune to both of their goals but that doesn’t mask the fact that we needed to be better than we were.

We know we will need to improve to get something against Manchester United this afternoon, because they will be looking to bounce back themselves after defeat last Sunday.

I will stress, though, that any team in the Premier League would miss players of the quality that we’ve had out in recent weeks.

We don’t moan about injuries or suspensions here because they are part and parcel of the game but having Mason Holgate, Lucas Digne, James Rodriguez and Richarlison unavailable would test the resources of any squad.

It would be remiss of me not to make mention of Marcus Rashford today.

He has led from the front during these worrying times for everyone and I take my hat off to him. He has been a credit to himself and his family.

Finally, as this is our Remembrance fixture this afternoon, we will all remember those who have lost their lives in conflict over the years – the people who made the ultimate sacrifice in service of their country.

Enjoy the game from the safety of your homes and keep looking after each other.

All the best,
Seamus