A game, which was meant to be savoured but in the end turned out to be a game hard to swallow. Both sides failed to muster even one shot on target in the entire first half and the pattern continued in the second half as Old Trafford witnessed one of the worse games of this season.
Manchester United welcomed Angel Di Maria and Daley Blind back to the starting 11 with Radamel Falcao not even named on the bench. Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal opted to play Di Maria up front alongside Robin Van Persie. Wayne Rooney partnered Michael Carrick in the mid-field with Daley Blind playing as the Left Centre Back.
Southampton saw the back of Morgan Schneiderlin in the starting 11 after his suspension. Sadio Mane missed the game due to a calf injury while new signing Eljaro Elia made his debut for the visiting side.
Southampton played with utter discipline to keep any United’s attack out with authority. Morgan Schneiderlin and Victor Wanyama were heart of everything Southampton did going forwards and backwards. New signing Elia was swift and threatening on his debut.
For all their attacking talents on show, Manchester United failed to create any clear-chance. Manchester United’s play seemed to be stuck in 2nd gear in the entire game. Southampton saw United’s lifeless play in the first half and knew that they had a chance going in to the second half.
Southampton Manager sent Dusan Tadic to change the game, and he did change the game with a beautifully finished goal on the 69’ minute mark. Pelle escaped pass United’s mid-filed to have his shot repel of the goal post, only to fall kindly to Tadic’s right foot and Tadic did not make any mistake in slotting the ball home for the goal against David De Gea.
Manchester United were finally waken from their sleep form Tadic’s goal. Van Gaal sent Marouane Fellaini to add more power in place of flair and it ended up playing in to Southampton’s hands only. Manchester United opted for the route of long balls and crosses which they are not overly fond of, whereas Southampton players make their living of winning the second balls and knock downs. Schneiderlin, Wanyama and Fonte kept United at bay to achieve a famous victory at Old Trafford.
Juan Mata came close to putting united level in three different occasions but he failed to hit the target on all three occasions. United’s inability to create clear-cut chances haunted them yet again and Southampton continued their impressive run of form to keep their hopes of finishing in Top 4 alive with a famous win against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
As it finished at Old Trafford, Southampton beat Manchester United 1-0, goal scored by Tadic was the ONLY SHOT ON TARGET by either teams in the entire game. I guess that sums it up as to how the game went for the both teams.
Southampton have beaten United at Old Trafford for the first time in 27 years. This was United’s first home defeat in the league this season and first defeat in 12 matches in all competitions. With the win Southampton are now 3rd in the league with 39 points replacing Manchester United who are now 4th with 37 points.
This win will answer the everlasting question, “Can Southampton keep doing it Week after week?” . Southampton’s ability to finish in Top 4 has been doubted by many, but a win at Old Trafford must put many of those doubts to rest. Southampton are here and they are not going away easily.
As for Manchester United, well it’s almost like 1 step forward and two steps back for Louis Van Gaal’s side. Van Gaal’s decision to omit Falcao from the squad tonight will be questioned as when United needed the leveller they sent Fellaini instead of a proven striker like Falcao. Van Gaal’s decision to play players out of positions will come under scrutiny. Di Maria and Rooney were underused and it led to United not having a shot on target in the entire game since April 2012.
Image Credits: dailymail