Manchester United go second in the Premier League with an important win against Southampton. Louis Van Gaal selected David de Gea in goal, with the same defenders but Marcos Rojo replacing Luke Shaw at left-back. Schneiderlin and Carrick returned to the midfield with Rooney ahead of them at number ten. Memphis and Juan Mata on the wings with Anthony Martial leading the line.

Southampton started quick out of the blocks. United’s defensive organisation was poor and didn’t help by Southampton pressing very high. They were getting a lot of joy from the flank with Darmian and Rojo struggling to contain, without Mata or Memphis’s helping. Also, getting in the pocket between our defence and midfield. We weren’t closing down or pressuring and they were having opportunities.

On the 13th minute Southampton scored the first goal of the game, when Mane was able to get the ball out to the right wing where Ward-prowse was in space to deliver a great ball into the box. Blind couldn’t contain Mane, who was able to shoot on goal but David made a good quick reaction save, only to parry it into the path of Pelle to score.



Pelle should have got his second when United lost the ball under intense pressure, he received the ball next to Blind, who was the last defender as Rojo was pushed up high, Pelle shot hit the post. By this point Southampton had four chance to our none, Wanyama was taking Rooney out of the game and Southampton had good shape.

Their pressing decreased as the half went on, United were able to create more and Got more of the ball.

The United equaliser came on 34th minute when Schneiderlin headed a ball forward to Juan Mata In the box, who was slightly offside. Mata played the ball to Martial who Cruyff turned to slot pass the keeper.



At halftime, Louis Van Gaal took Matteo Darmian off for Antonio Valencia; unlucky for Matteo who did struggle at time like other player but he was in clear sight of Louis van Gaal on the bench. After Southampton high pressing start at the beginning, they looked off the pace in the start of the second half.

United were now pressing high and paid off when Yoshida made a poor back pass to the keeper that was picked up by Anthony Martial and he beat the keeper 1on1. Martial always looked like scoring with his composure and calmness in front of goal.

On the hour mark, David De Gea stepped up the make superb save from a header by Jose Font off a corner. He managed to get a last ditch hand to force it away.



Our second goal was a Louis van Gaal type of goal, as seen by his reaction after the game. A total of 45 passes were made in the whole sequence that ended with Schweinsteiger taking the ball forward to pass to Memphis on the left of the box, who’s shot hit the post but rebound was scored by Juan Mata in the penalty area.

We started to look a little complacent. McNair was brought on for Rojo, an interesting substitution during the game but being Rojo’s first start, Van Gaal wanted to get him off.

United never like to make it easy and with four minutes from the end, Southampton pulled one back with Sadio Mane sending a good cross into the box where Pelle was waiting to head in his second. Poor defending with Blind not closing down the cross and Pelle free in the box.

The last few minutes were very nervy and scrappy with David De Gea pulling off some important save, the first being a shot from outside the box from Wanyama and then claim the ball after a corner.



The win sends United to second in the table, two points behind Man city. It was a game of stages, the first thirty minutes were all Southampton and all United till 10 minutes before the end. Anthony Martial got man of the match for his two goal and what he did off the ball. He looked calm and took his goal with confidence, he bring what no one else does with power, strength and the ability to go at players. David De Gea could also have got man of the match with his great save, especially at the end to keep all three points.

Wayne Rooney struggled on his return to the team, he was ineffective for most of the game but Wanyama was containing him well.

Memphis is also finding it hard to preform, Koeman identified Memphis as a threat and was frequently doubled up but Memphis needs to try more to attack the full back or make run to offer more options in attack. Schneiderlin struggled to preform at the start like many other player but improved, especially in the second half where He did well to break up play and worked well with Schweinsteiger and Rooney to control the game.

When Schweinsteiger came on he provided assurance and helped control the game, he provided the forward pass to Memphis for the third goal and was important in the build up.

Daley Blind and Chris struggled with high pressure at the beginning of the game, with Blind having moments where he was beaten but Once Southamptons pressure stopped they both performed well.

After a good win in the Premier League we turn to our next game on Wednesday, when we play Ipswich at home in the Capital One cup.