Southampton vs Man Utd ratings: Fernandes shows class, dogged McTominay, superb Bella-Kotchap

Southampton 0-1 Man Utd (Fernandes 55′)

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes fired his side to victory at Southampton as Erik ten Hag enjoyed his first back-to-back wins as manager.

The visitors, who named an unchanged starting XI after victory over Liverpool last Monday, faced long periods of frustration against a well-organised young Southampton side.

But in a cagey game in which both sides had good chances, it was United who showed their class in front of goal with Fernandes’ well-taken strike in the second half proving the difference.

With Fernandes and Christian Eriksen struggling to see much of the ball, United were forced to play long too often, only for the commanding Mohammed Salisu and Armel Bella-Kotchap to deal easily with Marcus Rashford in the air.

That appeared to lead to a slight re-think from Ten Hag after the break, with Elanga and Sancho instructed to move deeper and in-field to try and pick up the ball.

The ploy worked to perfection in the 55th minute. Elanga picked the ball up on the byline just inside Southampton’s half, drove towards goal and played it into Sancho who found full-back Diogo Dalot in space, with the Portuguese full-back delivering a precise cross to the edge of the box for his compatriot to convert with aplomb.

It was the sort of moment of magic that United desperately needed on what had the potential to be a frustrating afternoon on the south coast.

After a well-matched opening quarter of the game, the first big chance, or chances, fell to United as Elanga, Fernandes and then Eriksen were all denied by some desperate, determined blocks by Southampton defenders.

The impressive Bella-Kotchap, who played a key role in that defensive melee, should have scored his first Southampton goal not long afterwards after finding space at the back post from a James Ward-Prowse corner but he fired over with his left foot.

Che Adams, who caused problems for United’s defence, then stung the palms of David de Gea with a low shot on the turn as Southampton began to dominate the game as it edged towards half-time.

Ten Hag kept faith at half-time though and resisted the temptation to introduce Cristiano Ronaldo or the newly-signed Casemiro and he was rewarded soon after with Fernandes’ goal.

Despite the breakthrough, Southampton did not give in. Adam Armstrong found space down the left with a neat dribble to get away from Dalot and his fizzing cross found the head of Joe Aribo, who could should have done better than fire it straight into the palms of De Gea.

United were also lucky not to give away a penalty when the ball struck both of Scott McTominay’s arms in the box.

After referee Andy Madley waved away Adams’ protests, both managers turned to the bench, with Stuart Armstrong replacing Mohamed Elyounoussi for Southampton and Ronaldo and debutant Casemiro coming on for Sancho and Elanga for United.

Sekou Mara, another Saints substitute, very nearly equalised with a spectacular overhead kick in injury time, but United managed to cling on for another precious three points.

Gavin Bazunu: Striking contrast with his opposite number given how happy the former City youngster was to sit outside his box and play almost an another outfield player in possession, but also backed that confidence up with a key save from Elanga 7

Kyle Walker-Peters: Dealt well with the lively Sancho and made brave block on line to prevent Fernandes scoring in first half but perhaps could have offered more going forward 7

Armel Bella-Kotchap: Outstanding performance from young centre-back. Read the game superbly to make a number of key interceptions, including a last-gasp diving block to prevent Eriksen from scoring 9

Mohammed Salisu: Commanding display at the back and gave Rashford little joy with United often forced to play long 8

Moussa Djenepo: Playing out of position at left-back, but showed his ball-winning abilities with some eye-catching tackles. Question marks over his positioning for Fernandes goal, but perhaps understandable 5

James Ward-Prowse: Like watching a game of chess as he battled the similarly silky Eriksen. Often found pockets of space in deep positions and on the right side of midfield, but delivery wasn’t quite up to his usual high standards 6

Romeo Lavia: Calm presence on the ball as Southampton edged the midfield battle in the first half. Won a free-kick after a cheeky nutmeg on McTominay and showed some nice turns away from pressure 7

Joe Aribo: Scatty display from ex-Rangers man. Loose control meant he ceded possession several times when in good areas early on, gave away free-kick in dangerous area and should have done better with header saved by De Gea 4

Mohamed Elyounoussi: Fired in a number of dangerous cross from the right wing but was largely a peripheral figure until replaced by Stuart Armstrong after an hour 5

Adam Armstrong: A number of eye-catching dribbles to move away from pressure and carry ball forward. Didn’t always provide an end product but made an excellent cross to tee up Aribo 7

Che Adams: Given a start after his match-winning double from the bench against Leicester. Made a nuisnace of himself again, darting between and around United’s centre-back pairing but lacked the clinical edge of last week 7

Subs: Stuart Armstrong (6), Lyanco (5), Mara (6), Perraud (5)

David de Gea: Solid display from United’s stopper after a difficult start to the season, with a couple of regulation saves from Adams and Aribo 6

Diogo Dalot: Got into good attacking areas and if final ball let him down on several occasions in the first half, he more than made up for it in the second by picking out Fernandes for the opener 7

Tyrell Malacia: Tenacious presence at left-back despite majority of Southampton coming down his side. Not afraid of barking instructions at more experienced teammates, only blot on his record was giving ball away to Aribo in dangerous area early on 7

Lisandro Martinez: Diminutive defender targeted by long balls again but read most of them well. Continued his aggressive approach and looks set for a run in the team after being named man of the match 8

Raphael Varane: A relatively quiet game but that will be welcomed by most at United following some of their recent defensive performances. Anticipated well and looked solid in the air 7

Scott McTominay: Dogged performance from midfielder, particularly given pressure on him following arrival of Casemiro. Threw his weight around to ensure United weren’t beaten in the air as Southampton targeted Martinez, perhaps fortunate not to give penalty away when ball struck his arm 7

Christian Eriksen: Spread play really well from deep midfield role when he managed to find space, should really have scored when denied by the sprawling Bella-Kotchap. Quiet second half 6

Bruno Fernandes: Spent long periods without the ball but didn’t let frustration get the better of him and made finish for his goal look far easier than it was 8

Scholes: ‘United missed Cristiano today’

Paul Scholes speaking on BT Sport: “I thought watching the game today that they [United] needed Cristiano. I think he’d have been that focal point of the team. They lacked a focal point centrally.

“Cristiano is more of a focal point nowadays. You get to 37 years of age, you’re not going to go sprinting away from people. He’s very good at holding the ball up and getting on the end of crosses.

“Whereas Marcus [Rashford] is very different and there’ll be different times when different players will be needed. I hope Cristiano doesn’t go but if he does go I think they’re going to need a centre-forward.”

Peter Crouch: “I think if you want to get back to Manchester United winning titles, they’re going to need to be stronger in midfield than they are now. Casemiro is not going to change that fact. He’s a top player but they still need more.

“And I agree with Scholesy, I think forward-wise they’re short. Martial, you can’t hang your hat on him. Ronaldo is 37. They need a top striker.”

Rio Ferdinand: “I’m not going to get carried away like I normally do and become a meme, but I’m happy with what I’m seeing because you just want improvement.

“I think Man United have been in the doldrums for a while now, a lot of negative talk from people like ourselves. It’s nice to see there’s some positivity coming back.

“Still loads to do but steps in the right direction so I can go home now in the car quite happy, without having to take a beating in Whatsapp groups.”

Anthony Elanga: Struggled to see much of the ball in the first half with Southampton’s deep-lying defence meaning he couldn’t get in behind, but dropped deep after half time to play key role in Fernandes’ winner 7

Jadon Sancho: Some lively dribbles down the left wing in the first half and moved infield in the second, neat interplay with Elanga helped to set up Fernandes goal. Replaced by Ronaldo with 20 minutes left 7

Marcus Rashford: Struggled to get involved in the game for long periods with Southampton’s well organised midfield forcing United into too many long balls, but made excellent run to open up space for Fernandes’ goal 6

Subs: Cristiano Ronaldo (6), Casemiro (6), Fred (5)