Southampton vs Manchester United Match Summary

Manchester United disappointed at Saint Mary’s in a 1-1 draw against Southampton. After a bright first 15 minutes, United fell off and Southampton burst to life. Despite this, they barely created a clear-cut chance but got the goal they wanted. After clumsy possession in the midfield and a potential foul on Bruno, Southampton won the ball back in United’s half and fed Che Adams. He cut the ball past Maguire and fired a shot off Fred and into the goal. The shot was hugely deflected and made it unstoppable for de Gea but was originally so wide that the goal was deemed a Fred own goal.

At this point it was a typical United performance on the road. Play well for fifteen, drop off, concede in the first half. United last season tended to turn around performances such as these. Including on at St Mary’s! So most United fans expected a reaction in the second 45. The first twenty five minutes was outstanding, United turned the screw on Southampton and easily could have scored three or four. They did get one back, scored by Mason Greenwood but the goal was all Pogba and Fernandes. Their linkup was excellent but it was a shame that was the only good linkup between the two. The last twenty is where the criticism will rightfully come in.

There was no energy, no drive and almost no intensity. Except from the home side. This was one of the things Ole did warn us about was the home crowd having a big effect in away fixtures. Southampton caused United a load of problems with their high press and almost bagged the winner if not for a wonderful save from David de Gea.

Summary

In the end, United failed to take their chances and looked off the pace in the last twenty. United dropped points they never should have dropped but it’s not the end of the world now. City have dropped points, one of Chelsea and Liverpool will drop points next week too. United can make up for Sunday but have to take their chance. 27 games unbeaten is a magnificent feat and United have a chance to beat the record next Sunday against Wolves and have a good chance to do so. Wolves haven’t scored a goal yet and have lost both their opening matches 1-0. United need to win this one because a slow start could end their title challenge early doors.

The Saints played well without really challenging de Gea until Armstrong’s effort. Their defence was their best asset and Hasenhuttl made sure it was enough with all his changes aimed to keep them with at least a point. It was frantic defending at times but they prevented better chances going in than the one they conceded. Some positives but we’ll see how Southampton play next week.

Southampton vs Manchester United Player Ratings

Southampton Ratings:

Alex McCarthy 8/10

Valentina Livramento 8.5/10

Jack Stevens 7/10

Mohammed Salisu 8.5/10

Romain Perraud 6.5/10

Theo Walcott 5/10

James Ward-Prowse 6/10

Oriol Romeu 6.5/10

Moussa Djenepo 6.5/10

Che Adams 6.5/10

Adam Armstrong 5/10

Subs:
Jan Bednarek 7/10

Ibrahima Diallo 6/10

Kyle Walker-Peters 6.5/10

Ralf Hasenhuttl 7.5/10

Manchester United Ratings and Comments:

David de Gea 8/10

Forced into a good save in the first minute from a Ward-Prowse freekick and grew more into the game. Came for more crosses and made a world class save to keep United level. He has started the season well but we will see how he continues as Henderson is coming back and coming for his place.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka 6/10

Defended well and played out alright. In the final third he didn’t get enough crosses in be it a lack of options or a lack of willingness to do so. Either way it wasn’t a bad performance but wasn’t above average either.

Victor Lindelof 5/10

With a certain someone on the bench Lindelof didn’t impress as he did last weekend. Aerially he was comfortable but that was more due to the lack of height in the Saints’ forwards. He looked nervous on the ball and was reluctant to distribute past Wan-Bissaka and Maguire. I think Varane comes in next week to combat the Wolves counter-attack.

Harry Maguire 5/10

Looked off the pace at points. Gave the ball away cheaply a few times and only ventured forward once or twice. Perhaps this was due to Matic dropping deeper but he wasn’t at his best yesterday. Heavy touch which almost cost United the game but it seemed he had no call to say Ward-Prowse was behind him. Not entirely his fault but not good for his quality.

Luke Shaw 6/10

Put in some wicked crosses from set-pieces and one superb pass that was just to far in front of Sancho. Looked a little shaky in defence and like Maguire, gave the ball away cheaply at points. Not sure if it’s overconfidence based on his and Maguire’s good form at the Euros and against Leeds but that was a wake-up call for them both and I hope they switch on against Traore and Jimenez.

Nemanja Matic 4/10

In the first half, he was alright. He sat deeper as he usually does which normally offers an outlet in a team that sits back but instead it offered more pressure from a side that presses high and even prevented Maguire from moving further forward. This is something McTominay is better at as he is further up the pitch and is more capable of withstanding presses. Unfortunately he was only fit for a maximum of 30 minutes and couldn’t start. This game is only a bigger example of why United need another defensive midfielder.

Fred 2/10

Wow. This was a bad one for Fred. He gave the ball away so often it wasn’t even surprising at points. He had a couple of moments of brilliance including a lovely clip to Fernandes but really that was it. I was surprised he lasted as long as he did but with McTominay only available for 30 minutes, Ole had no real choice. It’s not all his fault, I think he and Matic are a decent pair with a back five behind them but in this team, it’s not a suitable partnership. Again, Fred needs McTominay alongside him or a defensive midfielder that United have to bring in.

Mason Greenwood 7.5/10

One of three bright sparks in the match for United. Got his goal again from a central position. He should have started there to begin with as Martial was less than non-existent unfortunately. Should have scored a second but his header was just over. Alan Smith called it “a guilt-edged chance” and he was right. Nevertheless, he has started very well and could make his claim for the number nine as the season progresses.

Bruno Fernandes 6/10

Had a couple of chances but couldn’t take them. Crucial in the goal along with Pogba but for the most-part was smothered and couldn’t get on the ball.

Paul Pogba 7.5/10

Played very well and created a lot of chances. Almost scored two or three times too. Bagged the assists for Greenwood’s equaliser. Should have scored but was United’s most creative player. That can’t be understated.

Anthony Martial 3/10

He had one real chance, be that from a lack of service or a lack of movement, and he failed to make it count. Needs his confidence back but I’m not sure where he gets it from this point. Greenwood has displaced him for the moment and Cavani coming back, it could be a long season for Martial. With squad rotation, I can see him coming in but he HAS to impress because there is a lot of competition in forward areas. Probably more competition than any other area in the squad. I hope he turns it round.

Subs:
Jadon Sancho 6/10

Looked bright but played safe at times. Needs to get his swagger back and I hope he starts against Wolves on the right. Would be a good move with Wolves having issues at the back on their left-hand side.

Scott McTominay 6/10

Without a defensive midfielder he has to start. Fred struggled with Matic but shone with McTominay. It’s not a shock these two play well together and will be able to shield the back four while allowing the front four to flourish. He came on and offered energy and drive but couldn’t impact the game as he would have liked. I hope he’s fit to start on Sunday.

Jesse Lingard 5/10

Offered some energy but not quite there. I expect he will leave United in the next eight days but I don’t know who will budge first. If West Ham lose today and do so because they lacked quality in attack then they’ll make the bid for sure. If they play well and win well, I could see United keep Lingard and reduce the fee in January. I don’t think he’s staying for the whole season and it would be a shame to lose him for nothing. If West Ham lose tonight and buy Lingard, it could facilitate a move for another midfielder. The pieces could fall into place for United. But even if they do, who knows if they will get the player they want?

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 6/10

I don’t doubt Ole was furious with his team’s end to the match. He was hoping that his side would stop slacking off in the first half and concede goals before coming back but was not expecting that last twenty. I’m sure he’s demanding a reaction next match because there’s a guaranteed chance to leapfrog either Chelsea, Liverpool or both.

He’ll be delighted with how Greenwood performed and may have wished he started him up front from the beginning but that’s all in the past. Ole hauled Martial off before an hour because he wasn’t showing any sharpness or movement and Greenwood was. He left Fred on as long as he could before bringing on McTominay. He said there was no way McTominay could have played a full 90 and so that left him with Matic and Fred. Matic and van de Beek was never going to happen and neither was Fred and van de Beek. This isn’t FIFA.

But what Ole has demonstrated is that the club needs a new midfielder that hasn’t lost their legs and can play as the lone anchor in a three. There’s enough time to get someone but it has to be the right someone. Not just that ‘anyone will do’ attitude that cost all three managers before him. We saw United assess all their options before picking Varane. We saw them look at Reguilon and Grimaldo before getting Telles. United will get the player they think will improve the team long-term and not just get a midfielder because we need one.