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United’s 11 match unbeaten run in all competition finally came to an end after they lost to Southampton at Old Trafford on Sunday night. A goal from the substitute Dusan Tadic in the second half was enough for the Saints to register their first victory at Old Trafford in 27 years.
This was only the second home defeat for United this season, after the opening day defeat to Swansea City. An almost full-strength United failed to hit a single shot on target at Old Trafford for the first time since 2009, when they had played a goalless draw against Arsenal.
Let us look at how the players performed on the night:
Manchester United
David De Gea – 6/10
The Spaniard was never tested by the Saints. Apart from picking the ball from the net once, he virtually had nothing to do on the night.
Antonio Valencia – 6/10
He had his moments in the first half when he regularly got the better of his opponent. But his final ball was less than impressive.
Phil Jones – 6.5/10
He defended reasonably well throughout the match and popped forward whenever possible.
Chris Smalling – 6/10
The English international looked comfortable at the back in defence. His distribution however wasn’t good.
Daley Blind – 7/10
He looked the best among the United defenders. He defended reasonably well and got involved with the passing and distribution. After he switched to the left wingback position, his crosses into the box were impressive too.
Luke Shaw – 5.5/10
He looked lively in the first half but his lack of fitness got the better of him in the second half as Van Gaal had to withdraw him at the hour mark.
Michael Carrick – 7/10
A typical Carrick performance on the night. He sat in front of his defenders and offered good protection to his centre backs and was neat and tidy with his distribution. But he was unable to make a telling contribution in the final third.
Wayne Rooney – 7/10
The English international looked settled in his makeshift midfield role. He defended well for his team by regularly tracking back his runners. However, he failed to contribute much in the attacking third.
Juan Mata – 6/10
He did not make most of his rare start in the first half. He got more involved with the team’s play in the second half though. However, his finishing let him down.
Angel Di Maria – 6/10
The Argentine started the match in a lively way. But his final ball let him down as he constantly gave it away. His shooting was neither good and he failed to put a proper cross into the box. He slowly faded away in the second half and he was rightly taken off in the second half.
Robin Van Persie – 6.5/10
With United failing to keep up their usual standards, Van Persie was isolated up front. He had the one chance in the match which was blocked by the impressive Southampton defenders.
Substitutes
Ander Herrera (60’) – 5/10
He came in the second half to improve his team’s performance on the night. But, he failed to change the team’s fortune.
Tyler Blackett (64’) – 5/10
After replacing the exhausted Shaw in the second half, Blackett had noting much to do in terms of defending in the match. Except for the one moment in the half from which Saints scored, Blackett was hardly called to defend as Saints retreated to their own box to defend the one goal lead.
Marouane Fellaini (72’) – 5/10
He was put in the frame to add an extra body up front to unsettle Southampton defenders but he was never found by his teammates with crosses to make an impact.
Southampton
Fraser Foster – 6/10
The England international’s clearances were poor. He also pushed a cross from Blind straight to Mata but luckily for him, the Spaniard missed an open net.
Nathaniel Clyne – 7/10
He had a good chance in the opening minutes of the match but that was the only time he came forward, as Southampton’s priority was defending more than attacking. He defended well though for his team.
Jose Fonte – 8/10 (Man of the Match)
He looked a towering figure at the back of the Saints defence. He never gave space or time to the United attackers in the penalty box. He was also a constant threat in Unted’s box while defending from set pieces.
Toby Alderweireld – 6/10
He looked assured in the defence until he was taken off in the first half with an injury.
Ryan Bertrand – 6/10
He defended well in the match but, just like Clyne he hardly went forward to cause United any trouble.
Vincent Wanyama – 7/10
He sat in front of the defence really well and offered great protection to his defenders. He broke up attacks really well and never allowed United get a foothold in the match.
Morgan Schneiderlin – 7/10
He formed a great partnership with Wanyama in midfield and intercepted most of United’s attack. His distribution was also good on the night.
Steven Davis – 6/10
He was unable to make an impact in the attacking third. However, he defended really well and closed down the opponents quickly with his tireless display.
James Ward-Prowse – 7/10
His workrate was second to none as he closed down Carrick really well and hardly gave him any time on the ball. He passing was also good on the night
Eljero Elia – 5/10
It was not a debut to remember for Elia. He never got going in the match, despite seeing a lot of ball in the first half. He was rightly taken off in the second half.
Graziano Pelle – 6/10
He had a poor first half in which he failed to be the focal point of their team’s attack. However his performance in the second half improved as it was from his rebounded shot that Southampton scored their goal.
Substitutes
Florin Gardos (21’) - 7/10
He looked solid at the back of the defence after coming for the injured Aderwiereld. He formed a great partnership with Fonte to keep United’s attackers at bay.
Dusan Tadic – 7.5/10 (63’)
The change was an impressive one by Ronald Koeman. Tadic changed the complexion of the match immediately with a well taken goal. He also looked assured with ball and kept the ball at united’s half in the end to kill precious time.
Harrison Reed (80’) - n/a
Hardly any time to make an impact on the match.
