Dan gives his report on Friday nights game up at Old Trafford and is concerened about the lack of cutting edge.
After a shambolic, eight-hour journey up to Manchester, Southampton put in a performance not worth the effort made to get to Old Trafford.
Saints made a bright start to the game after the most expensive player in history, Paul Pogba had a dodgy touch allowing Pierre Højbjerg to take the ball off of the Frenchman.
The Dane won a free-kick after being taken down near the edge of the box but Dusan Tadic couldn’t convert.
Unfortunately, Saints were forced to make a substitution only ten minutes in because of an injury to Oriol Romeu. The holding midfielder was replaced by Jordy Clasie and luckily there is nothing serious with his injury.
Next up to have a chance was Jose Fonte and Cedric’s fellow Euro 2016 finalist, Paul Pogba who’s curling shot was caught by possibly England’s new no.1., Fraser Forster.
Saints had two more great chances as Nathan Redmond covered lots of space on the right-hand side but his cross glanced over Dusan Tadic’s head; any kind of touch was likely to be a goal.
In between these chances, United’s star man, Zlatan Ibrahimovic climbed a mountain to get on top of Fonte and head United in front.
The second chance for Saints was a golden opportunity as Shane Long got into a one-on-one position with David De Gea but hit a weak shot that was held by the United keeper.
Southampton came out of the tunnel for the second half, raring to go and managed to put the ball in the back of the net but unluckily, Tadic was offside.
In a matter of minutes after Saints could’ve gotten the equaliser, they lost the game. No contact between Jordy Clasie and ex-Saint, Luke Shaw was made but the left-back fell and a penalty was awarded to the hosts. Ibrahimovic converted from the spot getting his second of the game.
After that crucial moment United kept coming at Saints and the game could’ve turned into a thrashing but Saints hung on by a thread.
A goal would’ve been the very least that travelling Southampton fans and even players deserved but it wasn’t meant to be. We now need to look onto next Saturday against Sunderland with the home advantage but it is obvious a striker needs to come in. With the craziness that’s happened this transfer window, Saints should be breaking their record transfer, especially with a billionaire owner. If by September 2nd Dani Osvaldo is still our record signing, Les Reed will be questioned.
My Man of the Match: Some players didn’t seem to show up last night, I think it’s fair to say Ryan Bertrand was missed. Even though we lost the match and didn’t score, Pierre Emille Højbjerg was our best player for me. At just 21 he could win our player of the season award come May. From the first minute he was sharp and managed to nick the ball off of United players at some points. I just would’ve liked to have seen him charge into the box a little bit more and maybe made a chance or had a shot.