Manchester United followed up their win over Liverpool with a 1-0 victory away to Southampton in which a number of United players continued to impress.
Despite spells of heavy Southampton pressure, Manchester United were able to see out the result following a clinical finish from Bruno Fernandes.
The Reds travelled to St Mary’s following their Monday night defeat of Liverpool, with fans harbouring a renewed sense of optimism.
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Southampton likewise were hoping to continue a sequence of improved results, following a 2-1 win over Leicester last week at the King Power.
New signing, Casemiro, started the game on the bench as Erik ten Hag named an unchanged line up to take on the Saints.
Anthony Martial’s injury during the week ruled him out of the clash down south, with frustrations around the forward’s fitness beginning to grow. The Frenchman showed promise of a resurgence during pre-season before being ruled out for the opening two games of the season. He was again unable to feature for United against Southampton today due to injury, despite a good 45 minute cameo in the win over Liverpool.
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Cristiano Ronaldo was also missing from the starting team as speculation surrounding his future began to swell again, with rumours that he may be on his way back to boyhood club, Sporting Lisbon.
Midweek talk surrounding Ajax forward, Antony, and a potential move to Old Trafford dominated the media’s build up to the match, with reports of Ajax rejecting a £76m bid filtering through the news outlets.
First Half
United started the first half relatively well, with Jadon Sancho and Anthony Elanga finding space down the wings.
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Southampton were able to apply a decent press however, with Che Adams targeting Lisandro Martinez early on, forcing the Argentine to go long a number of times.
Early signs suggested that United would be able to exploit the space in behind a high Southampton defence, with Bruno Fernandes failing to slide Jadon Sancho in for a one on one chance on the five minute mark.
The Portuguese playmaker followed this up by attempting an audacious chip from 40 yards out, with this comfortably collected by the keeper.
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United themselves looked vulnerable to the counter attack on a couple of occasions, but the backline were quick to reorganise, displaying the communication that Erik ten Hag has highlighted in his press conference.
Raphael Varane demonstrated his quality through the first half, imposing his aerial presence in the United box, leading to Southampton having little success when crossing into the box.
Despite looking energetic, United were slow to move out of first gear and find the cutting edge and intensity that saw them take the early lead against Liverpool.
Anthony Elanga was unable to convert a double chance in quick succession, before Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen saw their efforts form the resulting rebounds blocked in admiral fashion by the Southampton defence, in a sequence that will have left the players from both sides astounded as to how the ball failed to enter the net.
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Tyrell Malacia looked lively at left-back, making a number of impressive recoveries, despite looking slightly shaky on the ball early in the game. His composure grew throughout the first half however.
There were signs throughout the first half of an effective partnership developing between Jadon Sancho and Christian Eriksen, with the latter often drifting outside to provide a cross while Sancho drove inside.
Southampton continued to attack the United box from out wide, with Che Adams deliberately placing himself on the shoulders of Martinez, with mixed success.
Martinez was able to make an important intervention to prevent a low cross from entering the middle of the box, where it would’ve more than likely been guided home.
United found themselves exposed from a corner, where Southampton defender, Bella-Kotchap, should’ve converted from the back post.
The middle of the half saw Southampton dominate the ball and cut out numerous opportunities, but nothing to particularly worry David de Gea in the United goal.
United looked most likely to find success down the left flank, with Christian Eriksen providing multiple inviting crosses into the middle for the likes of Rashford and Fernandes to attack.
Bruno Fernandes struck the wall with a freekick on the edge of the Southampton box which he will no doubt be disappointed with.
The first half finished with the game still in the balance following an even performance from both sides, despite United going the closest to breaking the deadlock through Anthony Elanga’s double chance.
Second Half
Both teams went into the second half unchanged, despite the game looking as though it would suit a particular Portuguese forward.
United came out of the blocks with fresh attacking intent, with Scott McTominay having an early effort saved as the Scotsman volleyed straight at the keeper.
Bruno Fernandes eventually broke the deadlock with a fantastic first-time finish on the half volley, following a fantastic build-up of passing from the back in the exact style Erik ten Hag will have dreamt of.
Diogo Dalot provided the pass for Fernandes to execute the volley, with Dalot having looked dangerous down the right-flank throughout the first half.
The away fans made their animosity towards the Glazer’s ownership evident throughout the game, with the noise for ‘Glazers Out’ chants rising as the second half went on.
Southampton had a penalty appeal for handball against Scott McTominay turned away by both Andy Madeley and Peter Banks in VAR.
David de Gea demonstrated the shot stopping ability that has seen him retain his place as the Manchester United number one, following a well directed header from John Aribo.
Cristiano Ronaldo made his appearance on the 67th minute for Jadon Sancho, with the winger struggling to find the same space that he had experienced in the first half.
New signing, Casemiro, made his much anticipated debut on the 80th minute mark in a move to freshen up the midfield and provide extra stability in front of the backline.
Scott McTomminay and Diogo Dalot received yellow cards in the second half, both for attempts to slow the Southampton attack with tactical fouls.
Green flares could be seen coming from the away end as the game entered the closing stages, with the away fans again making their feelings regarding the club’s ownership known.
There was a final scare for United, as Mara saw an overhead kick blocked just in front of the line by Diogo Dalot.
The result will come as a relief to Manchester United fans who saw a composed performance from their side, with standout performances from Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez and Diogo Dalot.
Topics: Manchester United, Southampton, Premier League
Harry Greenwood