Southampton 1-1 Manchester United: Player Ratings
Manager, Goalie, and Defenders
Ralph Hasenhuttl –7.0
The Austrain was without star-man, Nathan Redmond and youngster Moussa Djenepo and was forced to trust Sofiane Boufal with a start. The gameplan was fantastic, pressure United when they tried to play out of the back and strike quickly on any turnovers in their half of the pitch.
All was going to plan until Kevin Danso inexplicably threw himself at McTominay and forced the team to pack it in and defend for the last 17 mins plus added time of the match. Ralph immediately took off Danny Ings in favor of another defender and that allowed Hojbjerg to move back to midfield as he was filling in at leftback until another defender was brought on.
Ignoring the final phase of the match with a man down, this team clearly has a plan and a new identity that is forming and it is all thanks to this man.
Angus Gunn – 7.0
Beaten by a fantastic strike early in the match from Daniel James, the Englishman was exceptionally solid from there on out and made some really fine saves to keep the score line level. Ever since the first match against Burnley, Gunn has looked increasingly better and if he continues this form there will be no doubt who deserves to be between the sticks week-in and week-out.
Cedric – 6.5
Cedric, at times, looked a little lost out on the pitch after getting a surprise start from the skipper. He did not close down on the goal scorer in the 10th min and that moment really shifted the momentum from the Homeside to the visitors.
On the attacking side of the ball, he did not create much and often times looked unwilling to cross the ball into the box. Would not be surprised to see Yan Valery return after the break.
Jannik Vestergaard – 8.0
The Dane finally used that massive frame of his to bang in his first goal for Saints and all-around has just looked like a fantastic defender thus far this campaign. Take out the Burnley match, Vestergaard has probably been our best CB and can be a huge lift if he continues this run of form.
The Saints’ Man of the Match had 92% pass completion, 5 recoveries, 5 interceptions, 6 clearances, 2 blocks, and of course 1 massive goal. It was truly enjoyable to watch the Great Dane in this match and we hope it continues.
Jan Bednarek –7.25
The Pole, has proven yet again he is our most consistent defender. He is growing into a leader and someone we hope is going to be in that backline for years to come. This match he had 8 clearances to go along with a tackle, 2 aerial duels won, and an interception.
If the Centre-Back duo of Vestergaard and Bednarek continues to play like this we may see the number of clean sheets tick up and up
Kevin Danso – 6.0
Just an absolutely silly challenge to get his second yellow card, which hurt the team, but he will learn. Outside of the 2 yellows, Danso played really well and is looking like a fantastic piece of business if he continues to grow as a player. It was the second match in-a-row starting at left-back and he seemed a bit more comfertable this go around.
He showed he is more than comfortable going forward and has the work-rate and pace to come back on defense. I am excited by him and think we have a real player on our hands. Just has to wise up with age is all.