'Saints' held by below par United side

Heading into this encounter, both Southampton and Manchester United were in desperate need of a good performance, as much as they were in desperate need of the three points. 

'Saints' boss Mark Hughes has been evading the sack for a number of weeks now, and was in dire need of a spirited performance from his struggling side. 

Likewise, although Jose Mourinho's side advanced to the Champions League knockout stages in midweek, his side were far from impressive, stuttering to a late win at home to Swiss outfit Young Boys on Wednesday. And so it was imperative that his side record a convincing win on the south coast. 

One manager would almost get off to a dream start in the match, thanks to a comedy of errors in their opponent's defence.

Southampton keeper Alex McCarthy got the ball stuck under his feet in the middle of his six yard box. Yet thankfully for the hosts, the lacklustre United attack could not make the most of the opening, and they ran out unscathed. 

After this frantic opening few minutes, the following ten minutes seemed a more accurate representation of how the match would play out.

Both sides took the chance to get a feel for the game, seeing plenty of the ball in the centre third of the field, but not really creating any true openings.

 

December 1, 2018

Suddenly, the hosts took the lead almost out of nothing. 

With around 13 minutes on the clock, Southampton were building up a solid spell of possession around the edge of the United penalty area.

Winger Nathan Redmond took it upon himself to run at the United defence, slotting a forward pass to the feet of youngster Micheal Obafemi. 

In a great piece of awareness, Obafemi managed to turn centre back Matic, and slip a ball into the channel for the waiting Stuart Armstrong; who took a first time shot, unleashing a rasping drive across goal, and into the far bottom corner. 

Following the goal, visitors United reacted rather well; passing and maintaining the possession, and took control of the game. 

 

December 1, 2018

However, in spite of this control, it was Southampton that would add the next goal of the game. 

A silly foul committed by a United defender just outside the box, gave the hosts the chance to aim a free kick at goal. 

Up stepped full back Cedric Soares, who, with composure and precision, curled his effort high above the wall and into the top corner of the net. 

It was a truly magnificent strike. Goalkeeper David de Gea was absolutely helpless, as the pace and accuracy of the shot beat him before he could stretch across his goal.

Southampton were in dreamland. They were 2 goals to the good within 20 minutes of kick off.

 

December 1, 2018

It seemed as though United now had a mountain to climb. 

Aside from a majority share of the possession, Mourinho's men had not once looked like they would threaten the hosts penalty area. 

But in a similar fashion to the 'Saints', United would score their first goal of the game out of the blue. 

A run down the right hand side from Englishman Marcus Rashford caused a forward surge from the away side. Upon reaching the by line, Rashford fired a hopeful low ball across goal. 

Having chased the play up field, Belgian Romelu Lukaku profited from a series of deflections in the six yard box, to latch onto the ball and smash it into the back of the net.

The lifeline seemed to give the United team that much needed boost of confidence, and they immediately set out for the equaliser. 

Once more, the 'Red Devils' dominated the possession, but were unable to forge any true chances. 

To their credit, the Southampton defence were performing valiantly, and were successfully limiting United to long range efforts at goal. 

Well, that was until Marcus Rashford picked up the ball midway through the half.  Again, the Englishman used the opportunity to run at the Southampton full back; he made it to the by line inside the box, and cut back a low pass into the six yard box. 

This time, it was Spaniard Ander Herrera who was running into the box. But never mind the alteration in personnel, the result was identical. United had their equaliser. 

Both sides were sparked into action by the leveller; United were keen to take the lead, while Southampton were desperate not to fall behind after having had a two goal cushion. 

Alas, no further goals would arrive, as the sides entered the interval at deadlock. 

 

December 1, 2018

Given the influx of goals in the first half, fans would have been forgiven for hoping for more of the same in the second period.

Unfortunately, this was not to be the case.

No matter how much the sides pushed and pushed for a winning goal, neither would score it. 

Both teams had chances to take the spoils; McCarthy and De Gea were forced into making some smart stops to prevent various long range efforts from landing in their goals. 

The point of note for the second interval would be the cautions of Mario Lemina and Ashley Young; both of whom having accumulated 5 yellow cards this season, will be suspended for their respective sides next league fixture.

Free kicks were presented to each side late on, as each back line dangled weary legs at the feet of their opponent's attackers.

Sadly, neither team could find the target with their respective efforts, and so the honours remained even at full time. 

 

December 1, 2018

Overall a draw can be considered a fair result, as neither side really did enough to win the game outright. 

Perhaps more important for hosts Southampton, was that they produced a strong and spirited display, topped off with two quality goals. 

The result leaves Southampton in 18th place, but they now only sit one point from safety.

In contrast, another dull and lame performance from Mourinho's Manchester United will only increase the pressure on the Portuguese and his players. 

United remain in 7th place, but sit an incredible 16 points behind league leaders Manchester City. The only consolation for the 'Red Devils' is that four of the teams above them are due to play each other on Sunday and will most likely drop points.