Southampton V Manchester United – Player Ratings

Southampton

Stekelenburg – 6

Hardly involved in the game. Not to blame for any of the goals conceded.

Yoshida – 5

Horrendous back pass allowed Martial in for his second. 

Fonte – 6

Barely involved in the opening half an hour. The more assured of the central defenders.

van Dijk – 5 

Some indecision as he settled into a new defence. Clearly threatened by Martial in the second half.

Targett – 6

Replaced by Martina (6) at half time. Nothing of any note.

Wanyama – 6

Prevented United’s midfield from getting a grip on the game in the first half. Solid display.

Romeu – 6

Safe and steady performance. Nothing special.

Mané – 7

Lively. Pace worried United back line and needed plenty of attention from Schneiderlin and Carrick in first half.

Ward-Prowse – 7 

Excellent deliveries gave United’s defence plenty to think about in the first half. One of the home side’s best performers.

Tadic – 6

Quiet on the whole but his excellent corner delivery in the second half nearly caused a Southampton leveller. Almost forced a late equaliser when he out-jumped Antonio Valencia.

Pellè – 7 

Took goals well, but missed a glorious chance to make it 2-0 early on.  Blind struggled to deal with him throughout the match.

Manchester United

De Gea – 8

Excellent save in the build up to first goal. Another stunning stop to deny a Fonte header in the second half. Further saves in injury time highlighted his worth to this United side.

Rojo – 6

Looked rusty first half as he stood in for Luke Shaw. Could’ve been nearer to cross that lead to opening goal. Replaced by McNair late on.

Blind – 6

Struggled with physical side of the game early on but enjoyed a much quieter second half.

Smalling – 7

Lacked recent composure at times in first half but steadied the ship as the game progressed. Also important in weathering a late Southampton onslaught.

Darmian – 6

Replaced by Antonio Valencia (6) at half time. A tactical change.

Schneiderlin – 6

A solid if unspectacular return to his old stomping ground.

Carrick – 6

Had to help out his defenders in the opening twenty minutes and gradually asserted more of his influence until being substituted by Schweinsteiger after an hour.

Memphis – 5

Struck a post in the lead-up to Mata’s goal. Still not showing his best in the Premier League and set piece delivery is below his high standards.

Mata – 7

Marginally offside for United’s equaliser, Mata calmly dispatched United’s third. Composed in possession in the second half to help United gain a hold.

Rooney – 6

Dropping deep on his United return, Rooney struggled to influence the game in the first half

Martial – 8

Wonderful composure for United’s leveller. Also displayed a cool head when slotting in the second. Early days, but looking like a lot of money well spent.