Manchester United snatched a fifth consecutive victory from St Mary’s thanks to a brace from Dutch striker Robin van Persie in a performance many considered the worst of the season so far.
United mustered just two shots on target in the whole game and just three shots in total, all coming from the Reds’ No.20. Despite coming away with three points, fans and manager Louis Van Gaal were not happy with the performance. While van Persie seemed to recapture his form from previous seasons, we take a look at how the rest of the side coped with Southampton.
DAVID DE GEA (7/10)
A calming presence in the defensive third. While he didn’t have an awful lot to do, United were constantly under pressure in the game and his calm approach certainly made it easier for the defenders. His distribution was excellent as usual, while he claimed crosses with ease and made two big saves to deny Shane Long and Graziano Pelle in the second half to keep it at 1-1. Further justifying claims that he is the best goalkeeper in the league right now.
CHRIS SMALLING (N/A)
Smalling started the game well, showing his partnership with Marcos Rojo was strong yet again. However, shortly after United went 1-0 up the England man felt an injury and went down. He was instantly replaced by Jonny Evans and now looks set for another spell on the sidelines.
MARCOS ROJO (6/10)
The Argentine struggled under the immense pressure from the Southampton front-line. It seemed as though he was targeted by coach Koeman for his lack of ability on the ball and it showed. Rojo constantly lost the ball or hoofed it aimlessly, gifting the ball back to the home side. He improved in the second half and made some good tackles but overall it’s not a game he’ll want to remember.
PADDY McNAIR (5/10)
McNair’s career so far for the Old Trafford side had been unblemished. He was yet to be on the losing side and was restored to the starting line-up by Van Gaal as the manager looked to shore up a defence that struggled against Stoke. McNair started strongly, coming out with the ball well and passing the ball well but after Smalling’s injury his confidence seemed to crumble. He gifted Southampton three opportunities, none of which were taken, before he was hauled off after just 36 minutes for Ander Herrera.
ANTONIO VALENCIA (6/10)
Valencia at right-back was much of the same as recent weeks. He looked fairly comfortable defensively and his job of shutting down Ryan Bertrand was done well. However he often left a lot of space behind him, leaving one of the central defenders to come across and deal with the tricky Saido Mane. An okay performance but once again it was evident that United need to strengthen in this position as Valencia is not a right-back.
ASHLEY YOUNG (7/10)
The England man proved me wrong once again. I expected Young to be dropped for Marcos Rojo to come in at left-back but the former Aston Villa man showed yet again that he could be an asset to this side this season. Young kept Shane Long quiet for the most part of the game while Nathaniel Clyne had probably his quietest game of the season so far. Young did well going forward too, sending in crosses galore and stretching the play for United to switch it on more than one occasion. Another good performance and one of the only players not to show themselves up tonight.
MICHAEL CARRICK (7/10)
The defensive midfielder showed yet again that he is key to any success that Manchester United will have this season. He was the only man who seemed to find his passing range tonight, keeping possession well. He started in midfield but moved into central defence once McNair came off and helped to steady the ship. Maybe could have been more positive with his passing but yet another steady performance and that’s five wins from five since his return to the starting line-up.
MAROUANE FELLAINI (5/10)
The big Belgian seemed to go back into his shell tonight, bringing out the Fellaini of last year. His passing was atrocious throughout and he failed to win the aerial battles against Victor Wanyama all night long. It was his wayward pass that led to Southampton’s equaliser and he wasn’t much better once he moved into defensive midfield. He charged around the pitch, often running past the man and ball and was just a nightmare. Needs to improve ahead of Liverpool next weekend.
JUAN MATA (6/10)
Mata struggled to impose himself on the game at all this evening. At times he seemed to be deployed deeper than Fellaini and United’s lack of passing meant that he barely saw the ball. He tried to be forward-thinking when he did get the ball but often found himself passing the ball wide to the wing backs or backwards just to keep possession. Not his greatest game but not his fault he wasn’t involved.
WAYNE ROONEY (6/10)
The captain returned from injury and struggled to make a huge impact tonight. While he linked well with van Persie on occasion, some of his passing was a bit wayward and he got more and more frustrated as the game went on. His fantastic cross from a free-kick set up van Persie’s winner and it was a decent performance on his return from injury although he’ll be hoping to do better when Liverpool come to visit next weekend. Was booked for dissent when arguing with the referee after being fouled by Jose Fonte.
ROBIN VAN PERSIE (8/10)
By far and away the best player on the pitch in a Manchester United shirt tonight. His hold up play was excellent, his movement was sharp and his finishing was outstanding. He constantly got United out of trouble with close control and ability with his back to goal and didn’t disappoint when presented with a chance in front of goal. Two excellent finishes through the legs of Fraser Forster will do his confidence the world of good and will likely have earned him another start for next weekend.
SUBSTITUTES
JONNY EVANS (6/10)
Evans came on early on to replace the injured Chris Smalling and seemed like a fish out of water. He struggled to adapt to the three man defence but seemed more comfortable once Michael Carrick became the third center-back. His first game back since going off in the 5-3 defeat to Leicester so rustiness is understandable but he didn’t cover himself in glory tonight.
ANDER HERRERA (6/10)
Herrera probably should have started ahead of Juan Mata tonight and showed why when he replaced Paddy McNair after 36 minutes. With his boundless energy, technical ability and more robust style, he seemed to suit the combative midfield play for today’s game and helped United stem the flow of Southampton attack’s once he came on. Was fouled for the free-kick that led to the winner and all-in-all another good performance from the Spaniard.