Five big talking points as ruthless United beat Southampton 3-0 | OneFootball

Manchester United ran out 3-0 winners against Southampton in the early Saturday kick-off as goals from Mathjis de Ligt, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho secured a much-needed victory for Erik ten Hag.

Here are five big talking points from the game…

Southampton’s poor defending at corners proves costly

United’s first two goals came from similar circumstances, with Southampton’s failure to get out quickly enough after clearing a corner kick twice hurting them. First Bruno Fernandes was allowed to pick out a great cross for de Ligt to head in the opener, before Rashford was afforded the space to bend in a low effort off the post from the edge of the box. One mistake can cost you in the Premier League but to not learn your lesson and let it happen again is so poor and it cost Russell Martin’s side.

Amad is showing he is ready for a bigger role

Before the start of the campaign, ten Hag stressed his desire for winger Amad Diallo to step up this season and not be looked at as a young player anymore. He’s certainly doing just that, with a fine display against Southampton ensuring his strong start to the season continued. He was a threat all game long on the counter-attack, and while he could still do with becoming more decisive in the final third and making his decisions more quickly, he is showing he can be a big player for United this season.

Dalot’s Dibling nightmare

18-year-old Tyler Dibling was excellent on his first Premier League start for Southampton and gave an experienced defender in Diogo Dalot a nightmare first half. He got the better of him early on to force a good save from Andre Onana and again soon after which resulted in a dangerous ball into the box, but his best moment came on the half-hour mark when he skipped past Dalot, who brought him down in the box to concede a penalty. Perhaps he should have taken it too, given Cameron Archer’s woeful attempt…

It could have been so different for the Saints

Southampton gave up chances on the counter-attack in the opening half-hour but looked dangerous themselves in forward areas, most of all through Dibling. It could have been a completely different story had Archer converted his spot-kick but the striker did not look at all like he was going to score and his weak effort was all too easy for Onana to keep out. Southampton did not have a shot in the game after the missed penalty and United were ruthless in punishing them in what was a brutal education into the Premier League for Martin’s side.

Rashford’s goal a reminder of what he can provide

Rashford’s excellent strike served as a reminder of just what he can bring to this United team. He did not provide the constant threat that Amad did, and was not heavily involved in the game, but when he gets the opportunity to cut on his favoured right foot he can be lethal, as he showed before half-time when he curled in off the post from the edge of the box. He also went close in the second half, forcing Aaron Ramsdale to tip over the bar with another effort from distance. ten Hag needs the goals that Rashford is capable of providing if his side are to have a better season and this is certainly an encouraging sign he can do so.

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