Lallana returned to the St. Mary's Stadium on a free transfer in this summer transfer window after leaving Brighton at the end of the season. The 36-year-old joined Southampton after ten years, when he left the Saints to join Liverpool in 2014. His arrival provides more Premier League experience and quality to Russell Martin's side, who are aiming to stay in the Premier League after the end of this season.
Lallana played his first match on his Saints return against Cardiff City, where he came as a second half substitute and completed 30 out of 30 passes in the game. He followed that with another brilliant performance as a substitute and completed one key pass as well as giving the assist on Yukinari Sugawara's goal against Brentford. Now, BBC reporter Adam Blackmore has praised the Southampton star for his impressive displays in the two matches, saying,
BBC reporter praises Southampton midfielder Adam Lallana
"Well he was against Brentford and he was a different gravy. He plays passes into areas that matter and he’ll risk it because he’s confident putting the ball into dangerous areas.Adam Blackmore
His little rabonas and his little step-overs and twists and turns to create half a yard. He showed his class in both games."
In both the matches, Lallana helped Southampton to have more ball possession and have more control of the midfield. Also, he gave a great pass to Sugawara on the goal after a good build up play with Tyler Dibling in the Brentford match. Therefore, he should be started against Manchester United as Southampton need his calm and composure in the midfield and his experience to take some points in the home fixture against the Red Devils.
Recently, manager Russell Martin also revealed about making some lineup changes for this match and it remains to be seen whether the Saints will implement a new tactical setup as well.