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Manchester United 3-2 Southampton: Premier League – Three Key Players

By Erik Franzo

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 02: Marcus Rashford of Manchester United is challenged by Jannik Vestergaard of Southampton during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Southampton FC at Old Trafford on March 02, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 02: Marcus Rashford of Manchester United is challenged by Jannik Vestergaard of Southampton during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Southampton FC at Old Trafford on March 02, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MARCH 02: Yan Valery of Southampton scores his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Southampton FC at Old Trafford on March 02, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MARCH 02: Yan Valery of Southampton scores his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Southampton FC at Old Trafford on March 02, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

Yan Valery

One has to wonder what Mark Hughes was thinking starting Cedric Soares ahead of Yan Valery?The 20 year old right wing-back has showed tremendous development under Ralph Hasenhuttl, and has what it takes to be very very special.

It was more than just the goal on Saturday, even though that was all he needed to be selected for this article.  The strike was as clean as you could hit it, and the position he took was perfectly timed as the ball was switching his way.  Earlier in the season, he may have overrun the space he left in front of Luke Shaw, but this time, he got it just right.

The poise and strength are Valery’s most impressive qualities.  He is looking to take multiple players on in attacking positions, and continues to grow in confidence in that department.  Valery breezed past Paul Pogba while toeing the sideline, and then knocked him down in a straight shoulder-to-shoulder 50/50 challenge.

His post match interview, resembled a Premier League veteran’s.  Imagine how he felt inside scoring that howler for his first PL goal at Old Trafford?  Yet, he kept his cool and expressed the team’s disappointment.

Our only fear is his goal on Saturday put more eyes on him from afar.  Regardless, to Southampton right now, this kid is worth his weight in gold.