Manchester United failed to inspire on home soil once again last night, as a goal off the bench from debutant Charlie Austin secured all three points for the Saints.
Outside90’s Brayden May casts an eye over the bottom three performers, following yet another dull affair at Old Trafford.
Matteo Darmian (Manchester United)
Deployed into a back three at the right-centre back position, the Italian who started the season so brightly continued his patchy run of form. Matteo Darmian made a nervy start to the game with a number of loose clearances which kept the visitors on the front foot, then often finding himself out of position in the central-defensive role as the home side’s tactics were very much based on the visitors’ game plan, not a usual sight for the Old Trafford faithful. The summer signing’s game was ended after he was collected by Shane Long following a decisive defensive header.
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Virgil van Dijk (Southampton)
Virgil van Dijk was the weakest link in the match against United and produced a few shaky moments throughout the match. Most notably was his under hit back pass to Fraser Forster, which almost was swooped upon by Anthony Martial. The former Celtic man gave away a number of needless fouls throughout the match which enabled Manchester United to put set pieces in from dangerous positions. The 24-year-old was often being dragged out into the wide positions of the pitch, when he should have been staying more central.
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Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
After the euphoria of scoring a late winner at Anfield last weekend, Rooney found himself struggling to get into the game against the team from the South Coast. The England skipper was a victim of the tactics implemented by Louis van Gaal as his side lacked a clinical edge going forward all bar the opening 10 minutes of the second-half. He unleashed a couple of sighters on goal, neither of which caused any problems for Forster between the posts for the visitors. Rooney’s passing throughout the match was off as his failed to make somewhat simple passes for a name of his standards.
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