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

By Erik Franzo

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 13: Marcus Rashford of Manchester United battles for possession with Kyle Walker-Peters of Southampton during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Southampton FC at Old Trafford on July 13, 2020 in Manchester, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 13: Marcus Rashford of Manchester United battles for possession with Kyle Walker-Peters of Southampton during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Southampton FC at Old Trafford on July 13, 2020 in Manchester, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
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Southampton’s English defender Ryan Bertrand (Photo by CLIVE BRUNSKILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Southampton’s English defender Ryan Bertrand (Photo by CLIVE BRUNSKILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

A True Professional – Ryan Bertrand

Not enough is said about the revitalized commitment of Ryan Bertrand and his reciprocal level of play.  He was absolutely brilliant at Old Trafford tonight, shutting down the scorching hot Mason Greenwood.  His partnership with Nathan Redmond is at its peak and he has clearly bought into the Hasenhuttl philosophy.  There were times in previous seasons when Bertrand would float in and out of games, but those days are long gone.  He is easily a top 5 left-back in the league and uses his knowledge of the game and sheer cheekiness to outwit opponents.

Bertrand seems to bait at least one opponent into a yellow card every match, tonight his victim, Aaron Wan-Bissaka.  He is picking his moments to move forward and his cover for his centre-backs has been spot on.  Tonight he actually covered for Walker-Peters coming all the way across the back line to make a game-saving block on Marcus Rashford in the 68th minute.  Finally, while pressing for the equaliser he comfortably attacked on the left-wing helping deliver crosses and win the final corner leading to Obafemi’s goal.

A new contract is hopefully on the horizon for the England International as he seems to be loving his football.  Bertrand is playing with obvious belief in his manager and his teammates and is a hugely unheralded part of Southampton’s success.