Could Dusan Tadic have earned his place back in the starting line up for the trip to Manchester United, find out what Ronald Koeman thinks here.

Dusan Tadic has had a great impact off the bench in the last two games and he will be eager to repeat his match winning goal at Old Trafford last January, but wil he have to do it off the bench again or has he done enough to earn a recall to the starting XI, Ronald Koeman has given his thoughts on the prospects in the pre match press conference.

“He had a big impact when he came off the bench, scoring goals and assisting in the last part of attacking.

“Sometimes from the beginning it's not so important or not really that level what he showed when he came off the bench.

“It’s difficult because in the last part of the game you maybe get more space.

“I think we need DuÅ¡an on his level, and of course if he doesn’t start normally it’s the reason that I think another player in that position can bring more to the team.

“He has to keep working, keep fighting and show his qualities.”

While Koeman admits it’s difficult to change a winning side, Saturday’s game may present Tadić with the opportunity to come back in from the start.

“It’s sometimes difficult because if the team is doing well, the team is winning and the player has his impact when he comes off the bench, then you don’t change a winning team,” Koeman added.

“It’s a little about the system, a little about the opponent and in the aspects we change sometimes players or positions. We will see what happens on Saturday.”

Photo: Action Images

FredAndWhite added 09:59 - Jan 22 Dusan is a top player but why change the winning formula? Tadic to come off the bench and score the winner again!
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halftimeorange added 10:42 - Jan 22 I completely agree. Ever since he came to Saints whenever Tadic has started a game he has faded after about 30 minutes. If RK is going to tinker with the team that tinkering should be confined to the midfield. If Austin is fit he might threaten Mane's place but I would hope that Mane starts because Austin's shadow might provoke him into showing the talent for goals we all know he has. Austin could come on for the last twenty minutes and that is not a prospect the Man U defence will relish if the game is tight.

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Winchsaint added 11:13 - Jan 22 Forgive me for a moment of cynicism (I am usually a very positive fan) but I think Mane might have a MOM performance a la Wanyama vs Arsenal in a bid to impress a club that makes no secret of being a suitor for his services. However, if that produces a similar result I will have no complaints!
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SonicBoom added 11:32 - Jan 22 A player of Tadic's experience and quality really should have made a starting spot his own by now. What did he cost? 11 million. For a club of our size that should be a guaranteed starter. I guess it's good we have that level of quality on the bench though.
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BoondockSaint added 14:11 - Jan 22 He has the talent to start, but tends to fade in the final 30 minutes. It seems that when the comes on as a sub, he's mad and wants to prove he should start. You can't do that all the time or he'll know what you are doing. So you need to keep him off balance and start him occasionally against weaker clubs. I'd bring him on late in this game as he would relish the hero role at Old Trafford.

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Whatsforpud added 16:14 - Jan 22 When he starts a game, he is usually on the left wing, providing crosses. In those last two home games he has come off the bench and slotted in at a more central position. I agree he seems to be a 30 minute player, be it the beginning or end of the game.
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saintpete01 added 11:54 - Jan 23 Go Charlie go Charlie is our darling
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