Southampton vs Manchester United

The game had a huge build up prior to kick-off with the two teams separated by a single point and the third place on the Premier League table at stake. Louis Van Gaal and Ronald Koeman’s rivalry was another talking point. Both teams started with what wan’t a first choice eleven, Van Gaal opting for a 3-5-2 to start with.

Southampton had their moments, but Manchester United did just about enough to have the three points which gave them their fifth consecutive victory. United are now third in the premier league, their best ever position since Ferguson’s retirement.

United were undeniably shaky on multiple occasions, but Southampton couldn’t really capitalize. Chris Smalling limped off early in the first half with what seems to be a groin injury after Robin Van Persie had made the most out of a mistake from Fonte to give United the lead in the 12th minute.

Ever since Smalling’s departure, the Red Devils never seemed to have a strong foothold, losing possession time and again. Marouane Fellaini had a terrible outing and it was his mistake which started the move leading to the equalizer from Pelle. The Second half looked fairly balanced. Southampton had major chances to take the lead but David De Gea did brilliantly to deny them from scoring on multiple occasions. United eventually found the breakthrough in the 71st minute with Van Persie finishing Rooney’s cross for the goal.

Here are the player ratings for the match -

Manchester United

David De Gea – 7/10

The Spaniard was commanding as he kept United in the game on more than one occasion. He was sharp throughout and displayed lot of confidence and composure in a truly professional performance. He made two remarkable saves in the second half from Long and Pelle and kept his great run of form good going.

Paddy McNair – 4/10

He started off well but then had real problems in the first half. Gave away the ball too easily and almost cost united a goal or two. He looked very nervous and was soon replaced by Ander Herrera.

Chris Smalling – 5/10

Smalling looked good from the start, carrying his good form into the game. Unfortunately, he had to depart with an injury early in the first half.

Marcos Rojo – 5.5/10

Rojo had an average game at the back for United. He stumbled a bit on one or two occasions and his passing was questionable. He was okay defensively but should have done better.

Antonio Valencia – 6/10

Valencia delivered a mature performance, playing as the right wing-back. He was a little cautious going up in the first half but was more or less effective with the ball. He eventually gathered himself up and continued to push on while remaining solid defensively as he was given a tough time by Mane and Bertrand.

Ashley Young – 7/10

Young had a really good game. He showed good intelligence to diffuse attacks in the first half as he was targeted as a weakness by the Southampton attackers. He looked strong carrying the ball forward and managed to deliver a handful of good crosses in the second half. He was a bit shaky in defence but made an important clearance to deny Long in the 62nd minute.

Michael Carrick – 6.5/10

Carrick was his usual self, a calming presence in the midfield. He was forced to play really deep after Smalling’s departure to compensate for the shaky defence. He passed efficiently and held up play very well.

Marouane Fellaini – 3.5/10 (Flop of the match)

Fellaini had some real issues throughout the game. He gave the ball away cheaply on numerous occasions and cost United the equalizer. He was not at all satisfactory, being slow and lethargic. He did manage to win some aerial battles and although he managed to get a foot in the game very late in the second half, he was highly disappointing.

Juan Mata – 6/10

Mata was hardly visible in the initial stages. He started to get into the game after the introduction of Herrera but wasn’t really impressive to say the least. He struggled to make an impact in the second half as well, although he did manage to put together some good passes.

Wayne Rooney – 6.5/10

Wayne Rooney was far from his best. With the ball or without it, his decision making was questionable and so was his effectiveness. He gave away possession easily and wasn’t really able to get into the game. The cross leading to Van Persie’s and United’s second goal was more of a silver lining for him in what was an under-par performance for the United skipper.

Robin van Persie – 8.5/10 (Man of the match)

Van Persie was at his devastating best as he scored both goals to give United the win. The Dutchman looked really sharp ever since the first whistle and was United’s best player, by far. His link-up and hold-up play were truly world class. His finishing was lethal as he pounced on a back pass from Fonte for the first goal while guiding home Rooney’s cross with the outside of his foot for the second. A real Man of the Match performance from United’s no. 20.

Jonny Evans – 6/10

Evans played his first game in the Premier League after his long injury lay-off as he came on to replace the injured Smalling early in the first half. He looked uncomfortable initially but did well overall. He stayed calm on crucial occasions and defended pretty well.

Ander Herrera – 6/10

Herrera almost made an immediate impact after coming on for Mcnair in the first half as he started a great move which led to Van Persie’s shot which went just wide. He passed the ball well but as was the case with most others, wasn’t too effective. He did manage to keep possession but wasn’t at his best.

Darren Fletcher – 4.5/10

Fletcher came on very late in the game to replace Juan Mata. He did not see much of the ball and his introduction was merely an attempt to see off the game.

Southampton

Fraser Forster – 6/10

Forster was hardly tested by United who managed to have only three shots on goal. However, he did concede twice and his performance was just about average.

Jose Fonte – 5.5/10

His mistake cost Southampton the opening goal as his back pass was easily anticipated by Van Persie. However, he did really well after that incident and gave a good performance at the back.

Maya Yoshida – 6/10

Yoshida had a decent game at the back for Southampton. He did well to make some fine interceptions and remained solid. He also made a brilliant run into the United box at the beginning of the second half which might well have led to a goal.

Ryan Bertrand – 6.5/10

Ryan Bertrand wasn’t really able to make a difference in the game, operating from the left flank. He did well overall and was good with the ball while attacking as well as defending.

Nathaniel Clyne – 6/10

He was good on the right while attacking but was given a torrid time by Young. He was tested on multiple occasions where Young got the better of him to deliver some good crosses. But he remained calm and delivered a good performance.

Victor Wanyama – 6.5/10

Wanyama made his presence felt in the midfield. His physicality and hold-up play proved crucial for Southampton as they looked to maintain discipline and shape. He had a decent attempt on goal in the 2nd half.

Steven Davis – 7/10

Davis did very well to win the ball and capitalise on stray passes. He moved well and quick and passed efficiently. He made a great run to start the significant move which led to the goal in the first half and looked lively in the second half too.

Dusan Tadic – 7/10

Tadic was responsible for much of his side's good play in the match as he flourished in the no. 10 role. His cleverly floated balls into the box caused plenty of problems and it was his shot that deflected through to Pelle for the equaliser. He delivered a great ball for Long, which should have been finished and was crucial in his team’s attacks.

Sadio Mane – 6.5/10

Mane looked good in the first half as he was very effective while moving forward. He created a handful of chances for his team with his quick passing and creativity. He was later taken care of well by Antonio Valencia and couldn’t do much in the second half.

Shane Long – 6.5/10

He looked good from the start and could have had a goal or two to his name. He did well to get into dangerous positions and cause problems for the United defense. He delivered a good cross early on and had great attempts on goal in the 35th and 52nd minute, where he should have definitely done better.

Graziano Pelle – 7.5/10

Pelle did well to take his chance to score the equalizer for Southampton in the first half. He played really well and could have had more than one goal to his name. He was really impressive but not as clinical as one would have liked.