Player Ratings: Southampton 2 – 3 Manchester United:
Lindegard 6
Surprise replacement for De Gea in response to Southampton’s height. Had a very quiet game other than the goals concedes. Opened with a few shaky kicks but settled down. He couldn’t be expected to save either goal. He did nothing to convince me he should replace De Gea.
Rafael 4
He did a bit of poor defending for the first goal. Didn’t have his eye on Lambert behind him. That incident aside looked decent. Looked decent going forward but there are still questions defensively. That goal wouldn’t have happened had Jones or Smalling played in his place.
Ferdinand 7
He made a surprise return from injury and solidified the defence. Made a fantastic last ditch tackle on 66 minutes to deny a certain goal.
Vidic 6
Vidic is still clearly recovering from injury but looked a little better in this game. Neither centre back were really troubled by Lambert’s height.
Evra 4
Looked good for the majority of the match and played well putting in some good balls. He was often the only United man on the left hand side of the pitch. Ruined all his good work by slipping for the second goal. I expect better from the veteran.
Valencia 7
Wasn’t utilised enough out wide but put in a few great crosses. He got the assist for the first goal and Van Persie should of had another on 54 minutes.
Cleverly 6
Looked busy in midfield. He kept the ball ticking and provided service to the front players. Started a good partnership with Carrick.
Carrick 7
The whole team is improved with Carrick back in central midfield. He played two beautiful defence sitting balls. He snuffed out nearly all threats through the centre.
Welbeck 3
Another awful game on the left for Welbeck. Why people say he can play there is beyond me. He did very little going forward and he provided no width which hindered the team.
Kagawa 6
More nice touches and through balls. Looks great on the ball and almost changes the way the team plays. A bit more wasteful than in the last few games. Showed he had a decent shot on him.
Van Persie 9
Made up for a poor penalty miss with two late goals that won the match. He himself admitted he messed up the penalty by changing his mind about what to do. His first and third goals where both exquisite finishes whilst the second showed his poaching instinct. Looks a class act.
Scholes 8
Van Persie called him the man of the match. He came on late and built pressure beautifully. He showed why Sir Alex was so desperate for him not to retire.
Nani 7
Came on for Kagawa to provide width and the team looked better when Nani played on the left rather than Welbeck. We were finally able to stretch the team. Great ball in for the third.
Hernandez 6
Praised by Sir Alex for his running. Gave another thing for Southampton to worry about. Only a last ditch tackle prevented him from having a great chance.
Man of the Match Van Persie
Despite the penalty miss his goals won the game.
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