Manchester United 0-0 Southampton: Three key players

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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 30: Jesse Lingard of Manchester United challenges Sofiane Boufal of Southampton during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Southampton at Old Trafford on December 30, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /

Sofiane Boufal

Again for Southampton, Boufal looked the most dangerous attacker and the most likely to force an opening – and the closest player to Sadio Mane since he departed. Boufal will always look to run at defenders, completing the most dribbles in the match (six to Lingard’s three).

Boufal has shown glimpses of his end product with goals against Tottenham and West Brom, but the Morrocan midfielder needs to be more regular with his goals and assists to contribute to the bigger cause as a relegation battle looms.

My biggest criticism of Boufal is that he often tries to turn back just one too many times in order to beat players when he actually has the pace and strength to just streak past them.

If Pellegrino and the other backroom staff can iron this out in the remainder of the season then Boufal can become a tremendously effective player for the Saints.