Manchester United failed to cash onto the winning momentum that they had built since the start of the year as they stumbled to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Southampton, for the second successive year at Old Trafford. Charlie Austin had a debut to remember as the striker crowned his first appearance for Southampton with the winning goal. United look toothless upfront, and could only muster one shot on target. The Saints looked much more disciplined and organised and finally grabbed the winner thanks to a late Ward Prowse set piece.
MANCHESTER UNITED (3-4-1-2)
DAVID DE GEA – 6
Didn’t have to do a lot throughout the game and there was really not much he could have done for the goal. He was generally calm on the wall, and distributed it rather well.
MATTEO DARMIAN – 7
The hosts’ best defender, excellently heading away from danger when Sadio Mane had opened United up after the break, taking a bang on the head for his troubles and having to depart on the hour.
CHRIS SMALLING- 7.5
Another steady performance as he continues to grow. One particularly decent foray into midfield with the ball.
DALEY BLIND – 6
The spare man of the back three and used the ball well in the first 45 minutes but lacked runners in front of him.
JESSE LINGARD – 6
Right wing-back, where he operated in Louis van Gaal’s first game in charge and started too deep to really penetrate Matt Targett. More of a handful in second-half spells.
The Belgium midfielder Marouane Fellani (centre) struggled throughout the match.
MORGAN SCHNEIDERLIN – 6
Such a vital component of this United team, his consistency is one of the main reasons why they do not concede many goals but was partly culpable for the set-piece mess late on.
CAMERON BORTHWICK-JACKSON – 6.5
Defended well – his emergence has really filled what would’ve been a huge hole on the left for Van Gaal.
ANDER HERRERA – 5
Began in a busy fashion, often joining the two strikers to occupy each Southampton central defender. Dropped deeper in the second half. Slow on the ball and lacked any real penetration.
ANTHONY MARTIAL – 6
Van Gaal tinkered with the formation in order to shift Martial centrally but failed to fully take his opportunity.
WAYNE ROONEY – 6
Has certainly put his stamp on games more in the last few weeks and not just because of the goals. Needs support from others around him though. There was no goal for the England captain Rooney (left) who endured a frustrating afternoon.
SUBS
JUAN MATA (for Fellaini, 46) – 6
His introduction sparked United into some initial life after half-time.
PADDY MCNAIR (for Darmian, 60) – 6
Looked unruffled when on for the injured Italian after turning out for the Under 21s on Monday.
ADNAN JANUZAJ (for Borthwick-Jackson, 86)
Is four minutes really enough? Almost, after one late flash at goal – more than could be said of some.
