Southampton 2-3 Manchester United: Player Ratings
A brace from Manchester United’s record teenage signing, Anthony Martial helped Manchester United to a 3-2 away win over Southampton at St. Mary’s on Sunday afternoon.
The Frenchman’s cool finish in the first half brought the red devils back on level terms after Graziano Pelle had given the Saints an early lead in the 13th minute. However, the Frenchman wasn’t done as he quickly put Louis van Gaal’s men in the lead, pouncing on an erroneous back pass from Maya Yoshida early in the second-half.
Juan Mata effectively sealed the fate of the game with his 68th-minute strike. But a second from Pelle with 5 minutes to go in the game, ensured that the final moments in the game were nervy ones.
So how did each one of the players in the game? Here is the rating for each of the players that took to the field.
Southampton
Maarten Stekelenburg (6/10)
Could hardly be blamed for the goals. Had hardly much to do otherwise.
Maya Yoshida (3.5/10)
His error in the second -half gave all the momentum to Manchester United leading to the second goal. The visitors never looked back from there.
Jose Fonte (4.5/10)
Had a few shaky moments and probably could have done a bit more to prevent Manchester United’s opener. Too easily shaken off by Memphis for United’s third. Could have so easily got Southampton back into the game with his glancing header had it not been for a brilliant David De Gea save.
Virgil van Dijk (6/10)
Took one for the team in his booking when he stopped an early counter. Looked sure-footed in his home debut for the Saints. Bailed out Fonte on a number of occasions.
Matt Targett (6/10)
Injury caused an early exit to the game for the English youngster. With Juan Mata cutting in from the right, he had a relatively nonplussed afternoon till then.
Victor Wanyama (5/10)
Sometimes looked like a one man army in the Southampton midfield. A vicious strike towards the end of the game from the Kenyan could have easily secured a vital point for the Saints if not for another brilliant save from David De G
Oriol Romeu (5/10)
Was given the responsibility of thwarting any agenda Manchester United had in the middle of the park. After a bright opening twenty minutes, he faded away.
James Ward-Prowse (6/10)
Provided some superb balls in the opening minutes. It was his superb ball that set up the opener. Fizzled as the game wore on.
Sadio Mane (7.5/10)
Looked like the game changer in the opening half an hour, but never had quite the same impact when moved to the right. Had two assists to his name, though.
Dusan Tadic (6/10)
Another one in red and white who seemed unplayable to begin with but never could sustain the same level of play throughout the ninety.
Graziano Pelle (7/10)
Manhandled the Manchester United backline at time in the opening minutes when Southampton were in the ascendency. Opened the scoring and could and should have added to his tally a few minutes later. Another trademark headed goal from him ensured a nervy finish.
Subs:
Steve Davis (6/10)
Replaced the underperforming Romeu in the second-half and did a much better job at it.
Cuco Martina (5/10)
Never really settle down into the game at left-back after replacing Targett because of an injury.
Shane Long: (NA)
Wasn’t afforded the minutes to really exert himself on the proceedings.