The ghosts of David Moyes era are beginning to loom over Old Trafford as Manchester United slump to their fifth defeat of the season. The wheels of karma came to a full circle for the Reds as Charlie Austin inspired Southampton nicked the game with a late goal from their solitary shot on the target.
The defeat keeps United at 5th place but the gap between them and the top 4 has opened up to 5 points. Saints continue their revival after a horrendous run in December moving to 8th in the league table. Here are the player ratings from the game.
Manchester United
David De Gea – 6/10
The Spaniard had a quiet evening this time around, however, he was rendered helpless by his defense by some poor marking in set pieces. Overall it was a decent game for the United keeper.
Matteo Darmian – 6.5/10
It was his untimely substitution which turned the tide for the Saints which speaks volumes about his performance in the right-sided channel of United’s back three.
Chris Smalling – 7/10
He was solid as usual. The Englishman did well to contain Shane Long for almost the entire game until Austin’s goal came in.
Daley Blind – 6/10
The Dutchman was pedestrian as the left centre-half in this uncanny back three. His distribution as the ball playing defender was awful to say the least as he squandered possession way too easily throughout the game.
Morgan Schneiderlin – 7/10
He held his own in the handicap midfield battle against the duo of Clasie and Wanyama. However, he was let down by his midfield partners for most part of the game.
Marouane Fellaini – 4/10
It is baffling to see him start regularly as a holding midfielder and today was no different. He was bullied by Wanyama in the first half and no wonder he was hauled off in the interval.
Ander Herrera – 6/10
The cult of Ander Herrera is slowly starting to fade off, this was the third game in the row where the Basque midfielder was ineffective as the chief playmaker in the hole.
Jesse Lingard – 6/10
He did his defensive duties as a wingback but lacked the cutting edge whilst going forward.
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson – 7/10
The teenager tried his utmost best to stamp his authority down the left flank but he gradually ran out of steam as the game wore on. He was impressive defensively for the major part of his stay.
Anthony Martial – 6/10
The French prodigy had a poor game as per his lofty standards set by himself this season. He did not receive enough support in the final third when he made some darting runs.
Wayne Rooney – 6/10
After scoring in his last four games, the skipper once again rolled back the time to the first half of the season with a flaccid display.
Substitutes
Juan Mata – 6/10
He brought the effervescence with his introduction in the second half but withered away as the game neared its climax.
Paddy McNair – 6/10
He looked more lively and enterprising while going forward than most of the United attackers but was a bit shaky whilst defending.
Adnan Januzaj – 5/10
Despite coming on as a late substitute, the Belgian forward will grab headlines for his silly foul which led to Southampton’s goal. He also blasted a shot just wide of the post late in the stoppage time.
Southampton
Fraser Forster – 6.5/10
The Englishman did not have much work to do due to the lack of attacks from the opposition. However, he remained solid throughout the game.
Cedric Soares – 6/10
The Portuguese was a bit nervy as the right centre-half but held his own against a sub-standard Man United attack.
Virgil van Dijk – 8/10
The bold Dutch defender kept United’s in-form captain Wayne Rooney in check for most of the game. It was a great night for him.
Jose Fonte – 8/10
The Saints veteran showed why he was one of the most sought after defenders just over a six months ago. It was a commanding display from the Portuguese defender.
Ryan Bertrand – 8/10
The Southampton man used his pace and guile to keep a wily Anthony Martial in check for throughout the 90 minutes. He was brilliant as the left back for Koeman’s team.
Victor Wanyama – 7.5/10
The Kenyan was at his gritty best as he tore Manchester United’s midfield apart along with Clasie.
Jordy Clasie – 8/10
The former Feyenoord man showed why he is so highly rated in football fraternity. He pummeled United’s midfield and attack to play a pivotal role in this crucial win.
Dusan Tadic – 6/10
The Serb was inconspicuous in this industrious Saints display at Old Trafford. He was not as influential in the match as he would have wanted it to be.
Sadio Mane – 7/10
He troubled United’s defense with his pace and some incisive passing making him deadly on counters.
Matt Targett – 6/10
The young wingback was slyly buccaneering in the latter part of the game as Saints began to lay foundations of second consecutive victory at Old Trafford.
Shane Long – 7/10
The Irishman was impeccable with his hold-up play in a game where stability in the final third was a rarity.
Substitutes
Oriol Romeu – 7/10
The Chelsea reject rejuvenated a boisterous Southampton midfield as the visitors mounted pressure on United.
James Ward-Prowse – 6.5/10
Once again the Southampton academy graduate highlighted his set-piece prowess as he assisted to the winning goal.
Charlie Austin – 7/10
He announced his return to Premier League with a smash and grab winner at the Theatre of Dreams. He seems like a quintessential Southampton signing.
