It could have been all so different. A mistimed lunge from Dalot on the debutant Dibling meant Southampton could take the lead but Onana saved. From then on, it was all Man Utd. A good cross from Bruno was converted by De Ligt, who had a difficult international break. It was quickly doubled by Rashford on the second phase of a corner. The game was pretty lowkey after that until Stephens himself had a mistimed lunge on Garnacho. This one was outside the box and much higher so it saw the Southampton captain given his marching orders. It pretty much sealed the deal and Garnacho put the cherry on the top with a typically emphatic finish. The pressure has been eased after it mounting.
A wave, not a phase
Momentum is a funny thing because often what people don’t realise is that the best teams don’t luck themselves into it. They play football in a way that often means that momentum is at the behest of them. Whenever you are regularly cursing the Gods being against you, like teams who have momentum go against them often do, it is generally just because those teams aren’t actually that good.
For a lot of last season, Man Utd were that team that were cursing Gods. Not only on the pitch but off the pitch. The only time that they seemed to work for us was in that FA Cup run that led us to glory. That cup luck transferred over today because prior to the missed penalty from the Saints, you could chalk that up to being the worst performance of the season considering the level of the opposition. On and off the ball, it was incredibly lax. The inclusion of Eriksen over Casemiro was obviously not done to sure us up in the middle of the park but given the latter is giving us absolutely nothing off the ball like he is supposed to, then might as well have a player who might give us more on the ball. In those 30 mins though, he didn’t though but that was simply because United as a team were not.
Southampton have been the team with most possession of anyone in the division in the first three games, something which is quite unheard of for a bottom half, let alone on that has just been promoted. So them having some control in that sense isn’t surprising but it was another black mark against the manager for building a proficient football team. It culminated in Dalot, who had a difficult time in those opening proceedings, diving in against the Dibley, the spritely winger giving him a tough time, in the box. If not for Archer missing was timid effort and Onana being able to keep the ball out, I may have been writing the obituary of Erik Ten Hag here. Post that though, the game was all of the Red Devils control. In the end, the game became a stroll in the South Coast park but when you swept up in waves rather than ride them, you have no control of where you end up. There are little phases of play that we fall back upon that gives us that safety. If we keep relying on momentum then funny things and games are going to keep happening to this Man Utd team.
Other Thoughts
It has been a while since I was able to rise a smile when thinking about a Man Utd right hand side combination. This season, Mazraoui has come in and has been a quiet revelation. He has been the solidity in all areas that we have been crying out for in a long time. Then in front we have Amad, who even in those minutes of difficulty, was the only one who looked to have the composure to make things happen. He finished the first half with the most chances created, 4, and the little presence of mind to not always attack and risk losing possession is a much needed in the attack that we have.
The goal for Rashford hopefully does him the world of good. He had his first shot prior to his first goal, which Ramsdale done very well to save. It was good and trademark finish that we used to see more regularly from Rashford and it should kick him into some good form.
————
The RoM Manchester United 2024-25 season preview is now available. It includes articles from the country’s best football writers about our expectations for the season ahead and our brightest talents, as well as proposed transfer business and which youth players to keep an eye out for. All profit goes to The Christie so please support this fantastic cause.