Southampton 0-3 Man United PLAYER RATINGS

Marcus Rashford broke his goalscoring duck and Matthijs de Ligt netted his first for his new club as Manchester United saw out a commanding 3-0 win against Southampton. 

The travelling side had initially found themselves on the back-foot when Diogo Dalot conceded an early penalty after tangling with teenage Saints starlet Tyler Dibling. 

But Cameron Archer was unable to convert from the spot, with Andre Onana equal to both of his opponent’s attempts, and de Ligt pouncing for the team’s opener moments later. 

Just six minutes later, Rashford doubled their lead with his first away goal since March, with Man United taking control over Southampton went down to 10 men after Jack Stephens picked up a red card – and claiming their third via Alejandro Garnacho in added time. 

Here, Mail Sport’s Nathan Salt runs the rule over the players from both sides in the first match of this Premier League weekend. 

SOUTHAMPTON (4-3-3)

Aaron Ramsdale – 6

Made an acrobatic stop early in the second half to deny Marcus Rashford a second goal but the former Arsenal shot-stopper will have been disappointed at the two goals he did concede. Deserves credit for the saves he did make to stop Ten Hag’s side running the score up, though.

Yukinari Sugawara – 5

Southampton had the better of it for the first 25 minutes but once United beat the midfield press the deficiencies became clear. Sugawara struggled to get close enough to Rashford when he made it 2-0 and his trouble with the winger continued into the second half.

Jack Stephens – 3

Should not be starting ahead of a rising star like Taylor Harwood-Bellis and this performance only further underlined that point. Never looked assured alongside Jan Bednarek once United decided to go through the gears and was sent off for an awful challenge late on Alejandro Garnacho. Nightmare day.

Jan Bednarek – 4

Recently signed a new contract to commit his future to the club but there were signs here to question just how long he should be the first choice centre back. Beaten far too easily in the air for De Ligt’s opening goal.

Kyle Walker-Peters – 5.5

Had his hands full with Amad Diallo and while he began on the front foot, trying to help create overloads down the left, his influence on the game waned. Didn’t do anywhere near enough to close down Bruno Fernandes on the edge of the area before his cross met the head of De Ligt for the opening goal. Far too casual.

Lesley Ugochukwu – 5.5

The loanee from Chelsea started with a real purpose and bite to his game in the middle of the park, hassling and harrying Kobbie Mainoo in particular. But he looked increasingly uncomfortable defending in transition and has to provide more protection to his evidently vulnerable defenders behind him.

Flynn Downes – 5

Struggled to exert any real influence on proceedings against a Man United midfield that few visiting fans had much faith in going into the game. Neat and tidy but doesn’t do enough with it when he gets the ball.

Matheus Fernandes – 6

Showed moments that will no doubt garner greater reward against lesser opposition. Much like a lot of his team0mates he became more and more of a non-factor as this game wore on and the fight seemed to evaporate from Southampton.

Tyler Dibling – 7

Southampton’s best performer on the day. The 18-year-old was handed his first Premier League start and took it with both hands, torching his marker Diogo Dalot time and again. Won a penalty and after Archer missed the game became infinitely harder for all of a Saints persuasion. A real bright future at this level for Dibling.

Cameron Archer – 5

Will be left to rue the missed penalty which gave United the lifeline they needed when they were on the ropes. Penalty was a good height for the goalkeeper and, in truth, he had far too much time to think about where it was going. Barely troubled De Ligt and Martinez and that will be a worry for boss Russell Martin.

Ben Brereton Diaz – 6

Made a few encouraging runs early but was largely kept in check by a defensively sound Noussair Mazraoui. Operating off the left side, he may be better served down the middle where he can get more involved. Was among the quartet taken off in a sweeping four-man substitution on the hour mark.

MANAGER: Russell Martin – 5

When you don’t have the players that can effectively play out the back, why stick with it? Southampton showed some nice moments but have now lost all four of their opening league games. Russell Martin needs to realise he needs substance over style if they are to stay up.

SUBSTITUTES

Ross Stewart (for Cameron Archer, 63) – 5

Maxwel Cornet (for Lesley Ugochukwu, 64) – 4.5

Adam Lallana (for Tyler Dibling, 64) – 6

Ryan Fraser (for Ben Brereton Diaz, 64) – 4.5

MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1)

Andre Onana – 8.5

Produced the game-changing moment when he saved Cameron Archer’s first half penalty. Had earlier made a brilliant stop to deny Tyler Dibling when United were riding out the Southampton storm. That’s what top goalkeepers do.

Diogo Dalot – 5

Endured a dreadful first half in which he was given the runaround by 18-year-old Dibling and he ultimately ended up giving away a penalty for a foul on Dibling. Got bailed out by Onana in this occasion but just as he was against Liverpool, he looks more and more uncomfortable at left back as the weeks go by.

Lisandro Martinez – 7

Once again showed exactly why keeping him fit is one of Ten Hag’s main priorities this season. The Argentine is the vocal leader of this back-line and he marshalled the back four brilliantly to preserve a much-needed clean sheet.

Matthjis de Ligt – 8

Was at risk of being embarrassed in the early moments when he was turned inside-out in his own area but he recovered well to score his first goal for Man United and put them ahead. It is important not to understate his role in the second goal, too, by blindsiding Aaron Ramsdale to allow Marcus Rashford to score into the bottom corner.

Noussair Mazraoui – 6

There’s a lot to like about the energy Mazraoui has brought to the side at right back and this was another industrious display. Ben Brereton Diaz got far less change out of the Moroccan than Dibling did out of Dalot.

Christian Eriksen – 6

A very surprising selection with both Casemiro and new £52million signing Manuel Ugarte on the bench here. There are large spells in games like this which pass the Dane by but he was effective in forward areas and both goal sequences started from his set-pieces. Booked.

Kobbie Mainoo – 5.5

His day started poorly when he was caught in possession and booked for deliberate handball. Has looked more vulnerable since this season started and he badly needs a true enforcer – which United fans hope Ugarte can be – alongside him to allow him to flourish. Being asked to do too much as it stands.

Marcus Rashford – 7

Came into the game with reports labelling pundit criticism of him as borderline ‘bullying’ but he issued his riposte here with his first competitive goal for United in six months. Looked to have his ‘mojo’ back here and that is crucial for a player like Rashford who can see his form swing wildly depending on confidence. Needs to make sure this is a springboard for the season.

Bruno Fernandes – 7

Remains such a key piece of this puzzle for United. It was his cross for De Ligt’s opener that got United on their way and his influence on when they slowed things down and went through the gears didn’t go unnoticed. Booked for kicking ball away after whistle had gone was his biggest sour note on the day.

Amad Diallo – 7.5

He’s so bright and so lively, it’s no wonder fans are crying out for him to start more. This was a bit of a slow burn from him in the early moments as team-mates did not seem to spot the runs he was making wide right. But once he found his mojo he was toying with Saints and the only gripe is that he faffed around a touch when he could have put the game out of sight.

Joshua Zirkzee – 5

Should have scored when sliding inside the six-yard box to convert Christian Eriksen’s through ball in the early moments and his first touch continues to raise real concerns. By his own admission he’s not an orthodox centre forward but United need him to deliver goals and right now… it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen. May work better in a partnership with Rasmus Hojlund.

MANAGER: Erik ten Hag – 7

Called it a must-win game and he delivered. Was bold in his team selection after having the courage of his conviction to drop Casemiro and go with Christian Eriksen. Winning the early kick-off after the international break will come as major relief to silence his doubters – at least for a few days.

SUBSTITUTES

Alejandro Garnacho (for Marcus Rashford, 73) – 7

Manuel Ugarte (for Christian Eriksen, 73) – 6

Harry Maguire (for Noussair Mazraoui, 73) – 6.5

Jonny Evans (for Lisandro Martinez, 77) – 6

Casemiro (for Matthjis de Ligt, 87)