Five Points that Manchester United's Gaffer got covered in the encounter against Southampton

Manchester United asserted their dominance in the Premier League campaign by securing a resounding 0-3 victory against Southampton at St Mary's. The Red Devils entered the match with the confidence of losing only one of their last 30 games against newly promoted teams while remaining unbeaten in their last 12 away fixtures against the Saints.

This win was crucial for Manchester United, especially after facing defeats in their previous two matches against Brighton and Liverpool. The victory propelled the 20-time Premier League champions to double their points tally to six from four games. Up next, the Red Devils are set to face Barnsley in a favourable Carabao Cup tie on September 17th.

Here is the list of 5 things Ten Hag covered in this fixture:

5) Taking Casemiro off the pitch

The Gaffer of Manchester United decided to take his defensive midfielder out of the spotlight following his disappointing performance against Liverpool two weeks ago, during which the 32-year-old was responsible for two goals. He was substituted at half-time by youngster Toby Collyer. In the latest game, the experienced Eriksen replaced him and delivered a solid performance against the Saints, instead of giving Collyer a chance in such a crucial match. Eriksen played a key role in United's first goal, providing the pass to Fernandes, who then delivered the ball into the box for De Ligt's delightful header into the net.

4) Newly signed De Ligt asserted his Dominance

From the very beginning, the Dutch defender displayed unwavering focus and determination to deliver a strong performance following a disappointing spell with Ronald Koeman's national team. He demonstrated superiority over the opposition throughout the game, making numerous crucial clearances and defensive contributions in the first half.

In attack, he showcased his aerial superiority by skillfully heading the ball into the net, asserting his dominance in the Saints' box. 

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3) Rashford finally scored

In the recent match against Liverpool, Rashford didn't look very happy, but things turned around for him when he scored a crucial goal just before half-time in today's game. 

Amad's pass set him up, and despite the opposition trying to stop him, Rashford managed to find space and deliver a powerful shot that left the opposition goalkeeper with no chance. This goal ended Rashford's goal drought, which had lasted 181 days since his last goal in March 2024 against Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-final. It was clear how much this goal meant to him, especially after facing some challenges at the start of the season.

2) Starting Amad in place of Garnacho

Ten Hag made a bold move by subbing in Amad for the usual starting right winger Alejandro Garnacho. This decision turned out to be a stroke of genius as Amad's speed and skill allowed him to take on defenders and create numerous opportunities effortlessly. Despite being left-footed, playing him on the right caused significant issues for the Saints throughout the game. Much like Rashford, United fans will be eager to see more consistent performances from Amad in the future.

1) Lisandro Martinez Shines 

The standout story of the day was De Ligt's impressive performance, but let's not overlook his defensive partner Lisandro Martinez, who delivered a solid performance as well. Martinez's exceptional reading of the game was evident in United's victory. Their partnership could mark the beginning of a formidable defense for United, although it's important to consider the level of opposition they faced.

Southampton preferred playing through the middle rather than utilizing the wings, which led to a game predominantly played in front of the defensive pair. This allowed them to maintain a compact formation without being stretched.

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