Player Ratings, Reaction and Highlights : Southampton 2-3 Manchester United

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Manchester United recovered from two goals down to record a stunning win at St. Mary’s. Southampton took a lead into half time but an injury time goal from Edison Cavani made life suddenly look a lot brighter for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

In truth, United hadn’t really deserved to be behind, but faced a similar dilemma to what they have been through many times before when it seemed as though they would be architects of their own downfall.

Mason Greenwood was presented with the game’s first chance – he read the lines fantastically to take a Matic pass, and rounded the goalkeeper, but from the angle he could only hit the side netting. Marcus Rashford was then clipped in the box but no penalty was given; it would have been a harsh award, but this weekend has proven that we have seen them given.

Bruno Fernandes then had an effort from long range as United started the game with some comfort.

But comfort means nothing without goals to show for it – and this Southampton team have grown familiar enough with these United players to know they are susceptible to some of their greatest qualities. And so it proved in the 23rd minute when James Ward-Prowse put in a typically accurate corner and Jan Bednarek got in front of Marcus Rashford to head in at the near post.

United were vulnerable. Kyle Walker-Peters took aim with an effort and it deflected against Telles, the post, and out for a corner as the hosts grew in confidence.

It made home goalkeeper McCarthy’s error in giving the ball away just on the half hour seem inexplicable; he atoned by denying Greenwood and Fernandes, although both ought to have done better, especially Fernandes.

Southampton again responded to a possible setback in the best possible way; a free-kick was awarded on the edge of the area and Ward-Prowse struck with his trademark accuracy. De Gea extended himself and got a hand to the ball but it was already in. Injury to insult for the stopper who collided with the post, who might have felt he could do better on both conceded goals, even if blame for the first might be a little harsh.

The build-up to the game has been dominated by talk of United’s inconsistency and so at 2-0 down it still felt uncertain whether Solskjaer’s team could come back or if they would capitulate.

He would have to do it with just two outfield subs as De Gea was unable to continue following his knock, and was replaced by Dean Henderson. The first outfield sub was Cavani for Greenwood.

United needed an early moment and almost got it – Rashford went through on the left and should have done better but his effort was comfortably saved. He would, though, likely have been flagged offside anyway. Cavani then couldn’t get a clean connection after Fernandes had done well.

Cometh the hour, cometh the hope. Cavani did well to hold his position, played a simple ball across to Fernandes, and the playmaker became goalscorer once more once he was able to get the ball out of his feet.

Ten minutes later Cavani came close to an equaliser with a header that went just wide. His luck was better a couple of minutes later; Saints failed to clear a corner, Fernandes’ shot was deflected and Cavani threw his head in front of it to divert the ball into the net.

Southampton settled down and saw the game through to injury time – but then United won a free-kick. Fernandes played it to Rashford, his cross was met at the near post by Cavani, showing all of the guile and class that years of top flight experience brings to flick the ball in again.

The lethalness of Cavani’s contribution and the uncomplicated nature of the way it was provided made it clear that the former Paris player ought to be starting games – but whatever happens going forward, Solskjaer would have been grateful for a contribution reminiscent of his own as a player at a time when he and the club desperately needed it.

Selection :

Solskjaer is in a period of trying to rediscover another plan A but is having to do so when time seems to be running out.

Today it was the diamond from the start and the personnel seemed right in terms of what was available, even though some might wondered if it would have been a blessing if Lindelof hadn’t passed his fitness test. He wasn’t directly culpable for the first half goals but he remains the weak link of a defence that is fairly average and good on a good day. But three of those defenders were now signed by Solskjaer and Lindelof is his preferred fourth… and so, he has little room to argue if it is below par.

One could say the attack has quality, so, was the diamond midfield actually counter-productive? United had none of the impetus they should get by packing that area and – as we’ve often seen – the theory of safety in numbers rarely applies when there is such disparity in quality between the first choice and the reserves. Fred did not have one of his best days. Nor did Van de Beek. United’s inspiration came from Fernandes and Cavani who were class and direct.

It’s fair to say Solskjaer earns some benefit of the doubt when it comes to the transfers and the way he has been backed but he also has the responsibility of picking the best team from the available squad, and making the right changes in adversity.

As long as some of those choices are enforced by injury and illness, the jury on Solskjaer remains out for those who still want him to be able to turn it around because it can’t be completely conclusive. But, for as long as results and performances remain unimpressive, his hiding place becomes smaller, and whether you deem those mitigating circumstances to be reasons or excuses, both are wearing thin.

When there are positive responses, like today, then the questions around Solskjaer become reframed – his changes were good, but, can he afford to use a player like Cavani as a substitute when he seems to be a class above what usually starts? Is it something to be held against him that he didn’t start him? United can celebrate today, but Solskjaer won’t always be able to get lucky with the gamble.

Team :

De Gea 5

Wan-Bissaka 7

Lindelof 6

Maguire 6

Telles 6

Fred 6

Matic 6

Van De Beek 6

Fernandes 8

Rashford 6

Greenwood 5

Subs :

Henderson 6

Cavani 9

Williams

Wayne is a writer and producer. His numerous books on Manchester United include the family-authorised biography of Jimmy Murphy. He wrote and produced the BT Sport films 'Too Good To Go Down' in 2018, and 'True Genius', in 2021, both adapted from his books of the same name. In 2015 he was described by the Independent as the 'leading writer on Manchester United' and former club chairman Martin Edwards has described him as 'the pre-eminent writer on the club'.

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