1. United were always on top during this match against the Saints, apart from a 20-minute patch after the first Southampton goal. They created chance after chance but failed to take any of them, thanks also to a couple of fantastic saves by the Saints goalkeeper McCarthy. Yet by halftime, our lads were losing 2-0, courtesy of two set-pieces. During the break, I surfed a couple of different sites and incredibly enough, some so-called fans were calling for our manager to hand in his resignation because as they said, he is out of his debt. Morons. I hope they are hiding their face in shame after the comeback in the second half. United continued to show some excellent link-up play in the second half and calmly but surely, we persisted in creating chances. Cavani has brought that lethal finishing which we have been missing and he will score plenty of goals for United if we can continue to create the chances from midfield. One further word for the true United fans. Let’s continue to support the team and the manager. We’re on the right track.
2. Our captain is firmly back in business. After a shocking summer holiday in Greece and a couple of below-average performances thereafter, several moaners came out in force and criticised savagely our captain, including some nasty criticism from the so-called fans. Harry plucked away and one game after the other, he improved his performances and is already at a level where I dare say he is playing some of the best matches in his time with United. Once more, the back four was almost faultless especially in the goals conceded and Harry has led his fellow defenders with authority. Against Southampton, despite facing the threat of the speed of Walcott and also having a relatively new left full back on his side of defence, Harry managed to cope with both these challenges with efficiency. Maybe, if there is one thing I would like him to add on top of his performances is the odd goal from set pieces. Otherwise, welcome back Harry.
3. Every manager of a football club – aside from working hard on improving the team with the players at his disposal – is always looking at the players his club can bring in to improve further his squad. Apart from the obvious need for a quick and strong central defender, United need to beef up central midfield also, mostly because OGS likes to play with two midfielders protecting the back four. It has became obvious by now that Pogba cannot occupy one of those positions and although Donny did well against the Turks in mid-week, it is a stretch to use him there every week. Matic has time against him and that leaves only Fred and McTominay. I think that United need to seriously consider Ward-Prowse to challenge for one of those positions if we could buy him. He has a unique precision from set-pieces, be it corners or freekicks and he is no slouch. He battles in that midfield and has an awareness to play the ball from deep which is usually lacking at United. Just a thought.
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GGMU!
Article contributed by Contributor Roderick. Comments are appreciated on our Facebook page.