Match Review: Manchester United 0-0 Southampton

Manchester United looked to respond well to last week's dismal performance against Liverpool, as they welcomed bottom of the table Southampton to Old Trafford.

In a rather uneventful start to the game, United's first effort came from good link-up play between Rashford & Fernandes. However the Ireland International, Gavin Bazunu, got down quick just moments before stopping the United number ten once again with instinctive sweeping play.

Despite some good early pressing play from United, it was Southampton who had the best effort of the opening half. De Gea was there to stop a bullet header from Theo Walcott, yes you read that correctly, from point blank range as he got in-front of Luke Shaw at the back.

The biggest talking point of the half happened at the 34' minute mark as United were reduced to ten men following the sending off of Casemiro. A poorly timed & slightly unlucky slide-tackle from the defensive midfielder saw his foot roll over the top of the ball onto the shin of Southampton's Argentine, Carlos Alcaraz. 

Referee Anthony Taylor's original decision of a yellow card was overturned by VAR following an on-field review, leading to Casemiro's second red of the season which results in the five time champions league winner missing out in United's next four domestic fixtures.

A rather frantic second half followed which saw a goal-line clearance & clipped crossbar within the first ten minutes of the half. The latter a result of the latest James Ward-Prowse free-kick as the Southampton skipper fell to his knees as he looks to equal David Beckham's record in the Premier League.

The action continued at a hectic rate but so did the fine performance of Gavin Bazanu. Bruno Fernandes' whipped effort was tipped onto the post by the Irishman just moments before Southampton saw an effort of their own hit the upright.

The home side can also feel aggrieved as Bella-Kotchap handled the ball in the area obstructing Marcus Rashford's cross into Wout Weghorst but VAR did not intervene unlike in the first half.

United will rue the chance to gain three points against the bottom side in the division but following the sending off they did well not to lose all three points in what turned into an all action end-to-end game.

With twenty-seven attempts on goal, somehow this one ended nil-nil at Old Trafford.

Player Ratings

David De Gea - 7

Aaron Wan-Bissaka - 6

Raphael Varane - 7

Lisandro Martinez - 7

Luke Shaw - 6

Casemiro - 5

Bruno Fernandes - 5.5

Antony - 5

Jadon Sancho - 5.5

Wout Weghorst - 5

Marcus Rashford - 5.5

Substitutes: Tom Heaton - N/A, Diogo Dalot - N/A, Harry Maguire -N/A, Tyrell Malacia - N/A, Fred - N/A, Kobbie Mainoo - N/A, Scott McTominay - 6, Facundo Pellistri -N/A, Alejandro Garnacho - N/A

Fan Reaction