Southampton hero Benali 'proud' of memorable Manchester United matches

We beat United 2-1 in the second-last game at the Dell before moving to St Mary's back in 2001. That was a special time, finishing on a high like that.

It's funny isn't it, I can remember the last game against Arsenal, but if you'd said to me who was in the second-last match I couldn't remember anything.

As it happened, I came off the bench for Garry Monk towards the end of the match. The goals came from Wes Brown in his own net, Marian Pahars and Ryan Giggs.

Games against United were and are, even now, very special. As a player back then it was always brilliant to be taking on the best in the country during that era.

They were incredible teams they produced and the players that they had, the personalities, the characters and the quality they had - it was always brilliant.

We had the famous one where they changed kits at half-time in 1996. It took me about 10 minutes to realise that they'd actually changed kits.

I knew something was different different, something felt different, but why? I can't remember conversations about it after the game but we were delighted to have won.

I think it wasn't until a little bit later when we probably saw the comments that Sir Alex Ferguson made about not being able to see one another in the kit...

You know, it used to annoy me a bit and I'm sure it did rub a lot of other people up the wrong way. On the day we were the better team, simple as that. 

Franny Benali clashes with Man United great Nicky Butt (Image: Daily Echo)

There was often an excuse or a reason why United didn't win on the day. It didn't seem we ever got the credit that we deserved.

I didn't play in the famous 6-3 win, but it was three years on the trot that we beat United at the Dell between 1996-98.

We used to relish taking them on at the Dell, especially, and I think the supporters came to the stadium fired up as well.

I was informed this week that Manchester United were the team I faced most in my career as a player. I am proud to have been in plenty of memorable games.

This is a big game for a lot of reasons, in front of the TV cameras, and it feels like there is a lot of pressure on United boss Erik ten Hag after last season. 

We've seen it in the past and I'm sure it won't be the last time where the same managers that are under pressure to start the season are the first ones to go.

From a timing perspective, nothing would surprise me now. The pressures that are there even when things are going well are still huge. It's constant.

But this isn't about getting one up on Manchester United or being an extra thorn in the side for ten Hag. This is all about us and Southampton.

You probably hear it in the press conferences when you're listening to the players and Russell Martin, but it's just about focussing on what you can do.

By doing that, I think you hopefully nullify any qualities that the opponents or whoever will be in your face and who you're up against on the day.

Clearly that preparation, the tactical side is all there and a huge amount of work goes into every single detail of the game now. 

There's that human element of 11 players against 11. Those one-on-one battles within a game that the players will face, that is always brilliant to relish.

You just hope that everybody comes together collectively, the players step onto the pitch and do their bit, and that Russell and the staff will do everything they can.

Hopefully, the supporters bring the atmosphere and the energy into the stadium that brings all these ingredients together.

Ultimately, we want it to result in a great performance and what will be a big three points in the Premier League should we achieve it.

All the best, Franny Benali.