Let’s take a look at the player ratings from the Premier League match between Manchester United and Southampton at Old Trafford.
Manchester United were held to their third consecutive 1-1 draw in a Premier League match against Southampton on Saturday.
An action-packed affair captivated a first-half that could’ve seen both sides score a few times. Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho came close for Manchester United, while Che Adams and Stuart Armstrong had opportunities on the opposite end of the pitch for Southampton.
It was nick and tuck at times, but Sancho’s 21st-minute goal proved the difference at the half-time whistle.
In a quick counter-attacking move, Bruno Fernandes sliced open the Saints defense by releasing Marcus Rashford down the right. Rashford then made his way into the box, before playing a short cross for Sancho to tap in. It was the Englishman’s second goal in three games and gave United a 1-0 first-half lead for the third consecutive game.
Jadon Sancho’s game by numbers vs Southampton:
77% pass accuracy
45 total touches
11/13 final third passes
7 ball recoveries
4 attempted dribbles
2/3 successful long passes
1 big chance created
1 goalA bright spark for Man Utd today. 🏴 pic.twitter.com/YCyKU19n9h
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 12, 2022
Southampton tried – and almost – got back in the game, while Paul Pogba had a goal ruled out as Ronaldo, who assisted the Frenchman, was offside.
Adams ensures a share of the spoils
Just three minutes into the second half, however, Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side equalized.
After Mohamed Elyounoussi played him in behind the United defense, Che Adams stayed onside to fire the Saints back into the match.
2️⃣ goals in 2️⃣ matches for @CheAdams_ 🙌#MUNSOU // @SouthamptonFC pic.twitter.com/QX8OxY2rlL
— Premier League (@premierleague) February 12, 2022
Buoyant by their quick response in the second half, Southampton continued to hound United. The error-prone hosts clearly struggled and were lucky to not fall behind. But Stuart Armstrong missed a chance, while David de Gea spared their blushes once more by denying Armando Broja.
Adding to the home side’s misery was when Ronaldo had a goal ruled out for offside in the 72nd-minute.
Despite both sides being unwilling to settle for a point, the match ultimately ended 1-1. As a result, United have moved up to fifth in the Premier League table – behind fourth-placed West Ham on goal difference – and Southampton stay 10th.
The Red Devils could soon slip down the pecking order though as Arsenal, Tottenham, and Wolves all have games in hand.
Ralf Rangnick’s side return to action on Tuesday at home to Brighton in another Premier League match. Meanwhile, Southampton will take on Everton at St. Mary’s next Saturday.
Player Ratings
MANCHESTER UNITED: De Gea (7); Dalot (7), Varane (6), Maguire (5), Shaw (6); Pogba (7), McTominay (6); Rashford (6), Fernandes (7), Sancho (8); Ronaldo (6).
Bench: Lingard (6), Elanga (6)
SOUTHAMPTON: Forster (8); Walker-Peters (7), Bednarek (6), Salisu (6), Perraud (7); Stuart Armstrong (5), Ward-Prowse (6), Romeu (8), Elyounoussi (7); Broja (7), Adams (7).
Bench: Stephens (7), Livramento (5)
Pick your player ratings using the list below.
