PLAYER RATINGS: Manchester United Put Three Past Southampton

A highly entertaining game on the south coast saw Manchester United take control after a terrible opening half hour and a penalty scare from Southampton.

Let’s get into the player ratings, then.

Player Ratings:

Southampton:

RAMSDALE – 7 – Made multiple saves and could do little about the goals. He must be wondering how his dream move to Arsenal ended up here.

STEPHENS – 2 – Did little to protect his keeper other than point at other players to do jobs he is literally paid to do himself. Sent off for an horrific knee high cynical tackle.

BEDNAREK – 4 – Didn’t so much defend as simply exist within the space. Just not a Premier League defender. Made a tackle at the end by the law of averages.

SUGAWARA – 7 – Very lively and took some lovely touches. Constantly got forward and was a threat.

WALKER-PETERS – 6 – Great going forward but was given a tough time by Amad at the other end. Far too many Utd attacks started down his side of the pitch.

UGOCHUKWA – 6 – Used his physicality well and consistently got the better of a paper mâché Utd midfield. Disappeared as the game progressed and came off early.

DOWNES – 6 -Neat and tidy but often couldn’t make some good positions count

M. FERNANDES – 7 – Did well in the opening half an hour but faded badly as Utd took control. Came back into it as the game went on and was probably Saints most consistent player.

DIBLING – 8 – Lovely early fun forced a fine save from Onana, followed it up by winning a penalty. Showed more fight and passion than the majority of Ten Hags over paid minnows in the opening stages.

ARCHER – 4 – Largely anonymous and took an awful penalty that will haunt him like a restless poltergeist. Dragged early and gently put to sleep.

BRERETON – 4 – Gave the penalty to Archer and that was the first time I knew he was on the pitch. Left for good after an hour.

SUBS:

STEWART – 5 – Barely touched the ball off the bench

CORNET – 4 – Came on for the last 30 minutes, created nothing and was booked. Terrific work.

LALLANA – 6 – Ran around a bit and signed some autographs.

FRASER – 5 – Honestly couldn’t tell you anything he did.

HARWOOD-BELLIS – 7 – Came on after the Stephens red card and made a great block.

Manchester United:

ONANA – 8 – Superb. Several key saves including the penalty. Quietly getting more and more confident in the shirt each and every week.

DALOT – 5 – Terrible defensively in the first half, like watching a car crash in slow motion. Not a left back and Saints exposed that in full in the early stages. Got better in the second, which isn’t saying a great deal. Somehow got an assist and a clean sheet. Football was the winner.

MARTINEZ – 8 – Utd’s general lived up to his billing with a confident display. Made it look easy at times despite unmitigated chaos around him. Limped off with 15 minutes to go straight after he’d made yet another brilliant tackle.

DE LIGT – 9 – Opened the scoring and was confident throughout, despite his full backs being as useful as a pair of chocolate testicles. Looks exactly what Utd need at both ends of the pitch. Inevitably went off injured.

MAZRAOUI – 6 – Positionally suspect as Saints attacked with reckless abandon down the flanks. Looked much better moving forward but was eventually replaced in the final quarter for Maguire.

MAINOO – 6 – Was out muscled and caught out of position a few times. Remains brilliant with the ball at his feet, gliding across the grass like a lion in his prime. Will look far better with Urgate behind him.

ERIKSEN – 6 – A tough ask to play in a deep lying role and was often out numbered. Was better once Utd scored and he could play on the front foot. Came off in the final quarter for Urgate.

B.FERNANDES – 7 – Beautiful cross for the opening goal and began to gently purr after that. Booked for booting the ball away 0.13 seconds after the whistle had gone.

AMAD – 8 – Utd’s best attacker in the early stages and deserved his assist. Consistently played with his head up and maturity beyond his years. Utd look far more balanced with him in the team.

RASHFORD – 7 – Gave Dalot little help when overloaded and started poorly. Exploded to life after Utd took the lead and scored a lovely goal. Will he kick on from there? Utd need him to.

ZIRKZEE – 7 – Some nice touches and created space for others to run in to. A lot of unseen graft but would have liked a goal. Missed a great chance to claim one at the death.

SUBS:

GARNACHO – 7 – Got Stephens red carded with a lovely shimmy. More concerned about his hair then ever looking to cross a ball. Shithoused a late finish.

URGATE – 7 – His first taste of action in a Utd shirt and looked very comfortable.

MAGUIRE – 6 – Booked within 3 seconds of coming on the pitch. Just happy to be there.

EVANS – 6 – Replaced the injured warrior and kept it tidy.