Scored a hat-trick.
Southampton are already Juric’s team
Everything written below must be taken in the context that Manchester United did not play with a team of equal status and strength, but with the underdog from last place, who spent last season in the championship. Southampton are 100% relegation candidates; the team are already eight points behind Leicester, who are just above. To get out of the relegation zone, you generally have to regain a gap of 10 points. And yet victory was difficult.
It was a difficult stretch for the Saints, but in December they parted ways with Russell Martin, who led the club to the Premier League. Southampton are now managed by Ivan Juric. With the arrival of the Croatian, they have not changed – five defeats in a row in the league. But there are huge changes to the content of the game. At Old Trafford versus Manchester United a team emerged that adopted Jurich’s style. And the guests left a pleasant impression.
The manager has integrated his philosophy. The team started playing in the “3-4-1-2” pattern and adapted to personal pressure. And against Manchester United played according to the same principles. Suguwara and Walker-Peters put pressure on Mazraoui and Diallo, Dibling, Fernandes and Suleman played as central defenders, while their own central defenders monitored the opposition attacking group. And it is important that this plan worked: Southampton, without the ball, did not turn into a sieve in defense and remained reliable.
Outdone Manchester United at Old Trafford
It’s exactly the same in the game. The difference in pressing efficiency was striking. The Saints remained focused and played against their personal opponents, while gradually locking out the Mancuniens. Mazraoui, Martinez, Høylund and the others have been covered several times. And even despite the active role of central defenders, Manchester United did not punish with rapid attacks.
The teams had similar setups for their center backs. Martinez and Yoro prefer to act actively; they can throw themselves at the opponent in order to kill the attack in its early stages. Bednarek also played after Høylund and Harwood-Bellis played after Brun. Only Southampton masked the emerging corridors and United turned into a sieve. Dibling and Fernandes easily overtook Martinez, Suguvara repeatedly beat Mazraoui in a duel, but Yoro suffered the most – he was simply torn apart by Suleman. The striker beat the Frenchman 1 on 1, passed at high speed and led him. The promising Leni was simply downgraded.
Juric arrived at Southampton later than Amorim. Manchester United. But the Saints are already a better coaching team than United. The Croatian definitely won the coaching duel.
System Manchester United works sporadically
As for attacking play, Southampton also looked consistently better; this was reflected in their actions. The Saints took advantage of Martinez and Yoro’s mistakes, rode on them and took them with them, clearing the lanes. They moved to the flanks, since the profile winger Diallo plays on the right (defense is not his strong point).
United created chances spontaneously and with difficulty. They were certainly not the result of systematic work. Often the hosts were simply locked in their own half – and the Mancunians were looking for a way into the final third. The spice came when Brunu, Høylund and Garnacho came on. The trio picked up the pace, made a few touch passes and the ball ended up in someone else’s penalty area. Maina was also dangerously brought into strike (Martinez gave him a nice cut). Only all this happened sporadically and did not bring results, while Southampton led 1:0 thanks to an own goal, but could have scored twice.
Victory is a consequence of class difference
But not in the classic sense of the term. Three points Manchester United with mediocre play, even against an underdog background – injustice. It’s just about having quality artists. United found the one who decided the outcome of this disastrous match. And Southampton couldn’t increase their lead – even though there were enough chances.
Savior Manchester United became Diallo, about whom we already talk so much. Amad is becoming a leader in his own right (and has earned a new contract thanks to his actions). He is more disciplined and professional than Rashford, which is why he gained Amorim’s trust. And so, that makes a difference. In the 82nd minute, the full-back, not without a little luck, equalized the score – the ball successfully bounced after the first shot. Then we played well against Christian Eriksen: the Dane threw a pass to Amadou, who shot into touch. And then Southampton scored a hat-trick for the Ivorian.
Amorim wants Amad to maintain his fighting spirit:
He did a great job, but he still has a lot to improve. Today he played in a different position and took advantage of his qualities in the second half. He did a good job, but he needs to prepare for the next match.
Now Manchester United is in a clear systemic crisis, Amorim is struggling to rebuild the team. And it’s good that there is at least one footballer who carries such a team.
Under Juric, Southampton could take off
In the context of an outsider, taking off means leaving the relegation zone. In the match against United, Southampton showed a different color and showed that under Juric, the project has good prospects. It is important that the same thing is observed throughout the remaining distance of the season. Now, the main goal of the club is to catch up and get out of the relegation zone. With a 10-point gap, it’s a task with no room for error.
It’s time for Southampton to win and reduce the gap. In early February, there’s a game with Ipswich, in mid-March, there’s a game against Wolves. Leicester and Everton are expected in May. Each of these fights requires a win, but it also requires some sensations.
The progress in terms of the content of the game under Juric inspires sympathy for the club and the belief that it’s not all over.
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