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2 months ago
21 Goals in the first half from Matthijs de Ligt and Marcus Rashford set Utd on their way in this early-morning kick-off before a last-minute effort from Alejandro Garnacho. It was ultimately a comfortable game as De Ligt and Martinez controlled from the back.
It was a fourth defeat in a row for the home side though. They had started brightly and forced us on the back foot early on. A missed penalty at 0-0 proved to be the turning point as they struggled to get any grip on the game afterwards.
Both managers made changes after defeats before the international break. Erik Ten Hag made the surprise selection of including Christian Eriksen in midfield with Casemiro dropping out following his disappointing showing against Liverpool. Amad Diallo also came in ahead of Alejandro Garnacho. Manuel Ugarte started on the bench after playing twice for Uruguay. Russel Martin made four changes after three straight defeats. Tyler Dibling, Mateus Fernandes, Lesley Ugochukwu, and Cameron Archer all came into the side as the manager changed up the shape.
Both sides needed to start well but it was the home side who looked the brighter in the early stages. Andre Onana was called into action to deny Tyler Dibling on his debut and quick off his line to intercept a dangerous forward pass. Utd’s response was an effort that Joshua Zirkzee poked straight at Aaron Ramsdale.
Southampton were still looking the more energetic and loan signing Lesley Ugochukwu directed a header straight at Onana when he should have done better. Diego Dalot was struggling with the pace of Dibling down the left and much of the attacks were directed on this side.
And this route should have afforded the saints the lead just past the half hour. The Portuguese full back dragged back the winger, and they were awarded a spot kick. Cameron Archer stepped up, but Onana dived low to his right and out of danger. They almost conceded straight away when Zirkzee curled a shot low into the corner only for Ramsdale to tip it past the post.
That reprieve was temporary as the home side frailties from set pieces showed up again. Christian Eriksen played a short corner to Bruno Fernandes whose ball into the box was met by the head of the un-marked Matthijs de Ligt. It was the first goal for the former Bayern man.
Ramsdale was forced into action yet again moments later to deny Amad Diallo, but they again switched off from the corner. It was played into the path of Marcus Rashford who stepped inside and swept his shot through the crowd and into the corner. It was his first of the season also. It could have been three just before the break only for Ramsdale rushing out to block the shot from De Ligt.
Noussair Mazraoui and Rashford had opportunities to stretch the lead but were denied on both occasions by Ramsdale. The tide had switched firmly in the game and the home side were starved of possession and clear chances. The policy of playing out from the back had done them well last year in the championship but it was often picked off before they could really advance too far.
Rashford had a shot deflected just over as it was the away side who looked the more likely to score next. Mazraoui almost had a bizarre goal when a clearance rebounded back off from him and almost looped up over Ramsdale.
Martin made a rare quadruple change in an effort to stem the tide in his favour, but it never looked likely. Jack Stephens was shown a straight red card for a late challenge on sub Alejandro Garnacho to further the problems he faced. Martin was booked for protesting, but it left the referee no choice.
Ten Hag was now seeing out the game and introduced a number of changes himself to allow key players rest. Manuel Ugarte received a warm welcome from the travelling fans upon his introduction.
The game was put to bed in the closing minute when Casemiro played in Dalot who had peeled off his marker and beat the offside trap. He laid inside the area for Garnacho to side foot it past the despairing Ramsdale.
A professional job done but there is much to work on. If the attack can click soon, we might start putting teams away easier. Returning players will help and hopefully wins breed confidence. Next up for us is an away game at Selhurst Park next Saturday at 17:30. Southampton must try and get back on track with an early six pointer against Ipswich.
Southampton: Aaron Ramsdale; Yukinari Sugawara, Jan Bednarek, Jack Stephens, Tyler Dibling (Adam Lallana 64); Mateus Fernandes (Taylor Harwood-Bellis 80), Flynn Downes, Lesley Ugochukwu (Maxwell Cornet 64), Kyle Walker-Peters, Ben Bereton-Diaz (Ryan Fraser 64), Cameron Archer (Ross Stewart 64).
Subs not used: Alex McCarthy, Joe Aribo, Adam Armstrong, Charlie Taylor,
Booked: Maxwell Cornet (70)
Sent off: Jack Stephens (79)
Manchester Utd: Andre Onana; Noussair Mazraoui (Harry Maguire 72), Lissandro Martinez (Jonny Evans 77), Matthjis De Ligt (Casemiro 86), Diego Dalot; Christian Eriksen (Manuel Ugarte 72), Kobee Mainoo, Amad Diallo, Bruno Fernandes; Marcus Rashford (Alejandro Garnacho 72), Joshua Zirkzee.
Subs not used: Bayinder, Antony, Wheatley, Toby Collyer.
Booked: Kobee Mainoo (26), Christian Eriksen (57), Bruno Fernandes (69)
Sent off: None
Referee: Stewart Atwell
Attendance: 31,144
Stretty News Player of the Match: Matthijs De Ligt
