Manchester United Southampton BPL Game 21
Southampton defeated and ending Manchester United's unbeaten streak in a smash and grab sort of style.
In recent weeks United performances have been below parr and poor but they have prevailed to win games and continue on their streak.
However today was the first time in which they were significantly punished as the Saints winner moved them above United in the table.
The away team who came into the game 4th just one point off Manchester United started off quickly as Nathanael Clyne saw his shot edge a whisker wide.
Throughout the match the Red Devils failed to have a shot on target the first time at Old Trafford since May 2009. Chances came in a short flurry after going one nil down but they weren't taken which was the downfall.
Lacking penetration as well as a belief to go forward and run at defenders was an including factor to why we lost. All credit did need to go to Southampton who came here with a game plan and executed it to perfection with a superb midfield display.
The formation was not set up to deal with Southampton's dominance in midfield and unknowingly a world class manager and former world class player to failed to change that.
The Saints nicked a goal 20 minutes from time when Graziano Pelle had hit the post and cannoned back out to substitute Dusan Tadic. The substitutes calm and composed was something United couldn't find as he slotted away the winning goal neatly.
The goal seemed to have awoken United and spurred them onto attack with more intent.
Juan Mata had two golden chances in a sort space of time where he managed to miss.
The first came when Frasier Forrester had come for a cross and left himself stranded with the ball at Mata's feet. His quick reaction shot had looked to have crept in but in truth had gone just wide.
The second then came just a few minutes later when a cross into the front post from the right had found the Spaniard with space and time to keep the ball down and put it past Forrester. The shot had sailed over with the chances anchoring and portraying Uniteds average performance today.
It's a horrible and gut wrenching feeling to lose in the manner in which we have. I'm truly disappointed in the performance and the I feel the team has let the fans down more than anyone. Improvement is needed.
Line ups:
MUFC XI- De Gea, Valencia, Jones, Smalling, Shaw [Blackett 65], Blind, Carrick, Rooney, Mata, Di Maria [Fellaini 72], van Persie [Herrera 61].
Subs: Valdes, Evans, McNair, Blackett, Fellaini, Herrera, Wilson.
Southampton XI-Forster, Clyne, Fonte (c), Alderweireld [Gardos 21], Bertrand, Wanyama, Schneiderlin, S. Davis [Reed 80], Ward-Prowse, Elia [Tadic 63], Pellè.
Subs: K. Davis (GK), Gardos, Long, Tadić, Isgrove, Reed, Targett.
Louis Van Gaal said:
“We didn’t create many chances despite dominating the game.”
“Southampton defended well but they came for a draw, I think, and go away with a victory. That is disappointing.”
Man of the match had to be Antonio Valencia he's constant running and will to go forward was one of the only positives today. Defensively he was stronger and didn't let much get past him.
Man of the match: Antonio Valencia
Next Game: Queens Park Rangers (A) Sat 17th January 15:00 GMT