Manchester United were held to a goalless draw by Southampton on Wednesday night but it could have been worse, as they survived an early penalty miss from Manolo Gabbiadini.
Sergio Romero was the hero, as he again impressed on the south coast. The closest United came to breaking the deadlock was through Anthony Martial, who struck a post from a curling effort. Otherwise, United again lacked the cutting edge in the final third. Here are the major talking points from the game.
#1 United again settle for the second gear - is it good enough?
We know that Manchester United are putting all their eggs in one basket in going for the Europa League; Jose Mourinho has said as much. However, even if United have one eye on the final in Stockholm in a week’s time, is a half-hearted effort - the second in the space of a few days after the Tottenham defeat - good enough for a club of United’s stature, regardless of how little there was to play for on the south coast?
The likes of Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford and Ander Herrera were rested, but there was still a multitude of talent on display at St Mary’s. The players mirrored their manager’s disinterest in their remaining Premier League fixtures.
Wouldn’t trying to generate a little momentum or confidence in front of goal be more beneficial ahead of next week’s final? Another meek display on Sunday in the final league fixture could pile further pressure on out of form players for the final.
#2 Romero stakes claim for number one jersey, full time
If the fax machine is working this time around, it seems David de Gea’s move to Real Madrid could finally take place in the summer, and with a substantial war chest available for Mourinho to delve into, expect numerous high profile replacements for the Spanish stopper to be targeted.
However, the Portuguese may want to look a little closer to home before deciding who should be his number one next season. Sergio Romero has barely put a foot wrong this season. In 17 appearances for United this season, the Argentina international has not conceded more than one goal in a game.
His penalty save against Southampton was right out of the top drawer, while several other stops at St Mary’s kept United in the game at crucial times. He may not be world class just yet, but on this form, Romero deserves at least a shot at being Mourinho’s first-choice keeper.
#3 Point ensures Claude Puel’s position remains mystifyingly under threat
Although the stalemate against United left the Saints on course for a top-eight finish, in a season that also saw Claude Puel steer his side to the EFL Cup final, the 55-year-old's position remains subject to speculation.
That is what you get for over-achieving for so long. Fans now expect Southampton to be playing attractive football, and break club records for points tallies. Against United, Saints had 17 shots on goal, but couldn’t score. Even a 1-0 win would have given the club a lift ahead of the final game. Another uninspiring performance, of which there have been plenty of late with little to play for, has ensured many fans remain of the thinking that change at the managerial helm will freshen things up.
“After that Sunday’s clash with Stoke] we can discuss and speak about this [his future],” Puel said after the United draw. “That is when we can talk about this. For now, we keep our focus for the last match.” A man who knows he is not safe in employment.
#4 Why play Axel Tuanzebe in midfield?
Mourinho loves a curveball selection. His latest offering has come in the form of Axel Tuanzebe, who again played in midfield against Southampton. As a recognised centre-back, it is unclear as to what point Mourinho is trying to prove by deploying the youngster in the midfield, but it surely cannot help the development of such a fledgeling talent, playing him out of position against top quality opposition?
Mourinho’s selection did seem justified in the first half, as Tuanzebe finished the opening 45 minutes at St Mary’s having not misplaced a single pass, but alongside Marouane Fellaini, there was no room for invention.
Would Phil Jones not have been a more suitable pick having played there plenty of times before? It is clear that Mourinho wants Chris Smalling and Jones for his centre-back pairing for the Europa League final, but they have played together 66 times in the Premier League. Hardly unfamiliar territory.
#5 Third penalty miss of the season becoming Saints’ problem
Manolo Gabbiadini has not scored since coming back from injury for the Saints, so when he stepped up to take an early penalty against United, he surely must have thought his goalscoring woes were about to end. Romero had other ideas.
“It is the third penalty we have missed recently," Claude Puel said after the match. "We have to work on this in training. It is very difficult. The penalty is very important, at this time in the game. It would have given confidence to the team, and we need confidence at the beginning of the game.”
No other team has missed more than three penalties this season, and in a league where margins are so fine when a penalty could even save the manager’s job, such profligacy from 12 yards is not helpful. Romero’s save was excellent, but Gabbiadini has to show more conviction from that distance.
