Man United 1-1 Southampton: Struggling Ralf Rangnick men squander another lead as impressive Saints earn a point at Old Trafford
The mediocrity is overwhelming for Ralf Rangnick, who presides over a Manchester United team that are currently struggling so much that the old twilight zone of Fergie time at the end of the game holds just as much peril for them as for their opponents.
In the last stages of this deadlock, Southampton’s rampaging centre-forward Armando Broja was denied a penalty when Harry Maguire intervened with a challenge, just minutes before the United captain very nearly seized a winning goal at the other end. This was a performance full of courage from the team managed by Rangnick’s coaching protegee Ralph Hasenhuttl although for United it was more of the same frustration and recriminations.
There were boos at the end from Old Trafford at this, the third consecutive game without a win for United in all competitions. Two weeks earlier they had pinched a last minute victory against West Ham and they might have done the same with Maguire’s late header in time added on but it would have done little to change the big picture. Middlesbrough in the FA Cup, Burnley at Turf Moor, and now Southampton at Old Trafford and uninhibited in the way they played. These are opposition that United would expect to beat.
Splendid performances all over this Saints team and well worth their point. Special mentions for Mohamed Elyounoussi, a shrewd picker of passes who spotted the straight ball through the United back line for Che Adams’ perfect second half finish. The two full-backs Kyle Walker-Peters and Romaine Perraud caught the eye, although no doubting the potential star.
Southampton striker Armando Broja is on loan from Chelsea who have produced another superb attacking player. He is different to all those who have previously emerged from Cobham – a much more physical striker but with plenty more to his game in the quickness of his feet and the awareness of the space around him. The 20-year-old Slough-born Albania international has something of the young Zlatan Ibrahimovic about him and like the great goalscorer there is a certain style and grace despite the youthful rough edges.
He turned Harry Maguire a few times, the centre-half perhaps surprised that such a big, strong lad could spin so quickly. Earlier Luke Shaw had taken a hold of Broja’s shirt in exasperation and hung on for dear life – like a man being taken for a walk by his exuberant Alsatian. All that was missing from Broja’s game was the finish. Saints have drawn home and away with Manchester City and now United this season. This time they were less fragile in defence.
That said, no reason why Mohammed Salisu should need to try to cut out Bruno Fernandes’ straight ball into the right channel on 21 minutes. But the centre-half lunged and missed and Marcus Rashford was in behind. The space behind the away side was opened up and Rashford generously picked out Sancho at the back post. This was one of the better afternoons for the younger of the two Englishmen who looked more confident than usual. Even so, in this United side that is not saying much.
United started the second half leading by that Sancho goal and with Hasenhuttl having changed Jack Stephens in place of Jan Bednarek. Within three minutes United had conceded – a goal that Southampton worked beautifully from the back. Oriol Romeu picked out Elyounoussi in the final stages and his ball stroked in off the far post by Adams. It was another afternoon when United could not respond.
