Southampton 1-1 Man Utd: our top 3 heroes & villains plus player ratings

Manchester United dropped points during their first away game of the 2021/22 Premier League season, after drawing 1-1 with Southampton on Sunday.

It was a Che Adams shot that deflected off Fred which gave the visitors the lead at half-time, but Mason Greenwood got the all-important equaliser after the break.

It was a game in which both sides enjoyed spells on top, but it will certainly be the hosts who are happier with a point from the encounter.

The heroes

• Paul Pogba: After registering four assists last week, the midfielder picked up where he left off, by supplying Greenwood with the pass from which he scored. Pogba was sublime off the left flank for United and certainly the best player on the park for the visitors.
• Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: That result means it’s a joint Premier League record for the Red Devils, who have now gone 27 consecutive away games without losing in the league. Solskjaer’s men could beat the record set by Arsenal’s Invincibles when they’re in action next weekend.
• Valentino Livramento: In just his second ever Premier League match, the Saints full-back was excellent, both defensively and going forward. The young defender joined from Chelsea this summer and is keeping Kyle Walker-Peters out of the team at present.

The villains

• St Mary’s: The Saints’ first home game of the season didn’t go quite as smoothly as the club would have liked, with sections of fans missing the start of the match due to ticket issues. The club have said they will refund every general admission ticket, but it will be small consolation to those who didn’t witness the opening minutes.
• Fred: It was an afternoon to forget for the Brazilian, who struggled to deal with Southampton’s pressing and energy in the first half. The midfielder also got the decisive touch on Adams’s shot which deflected past David De Gea and he was replaced by Scott McTominay in the latter stages.
• Anthony Martial: The United No.9 started a game for the club for the first time since March, but struggled to get into the action. The striker looked sluggish and lacked sharpness, so much so that he was replaced just before the hour mark.

Player ratings

Southampton (4-4-2/3-5-2) McCarthy 7; Livramento 8, Stephens 7, Sallisu 7, Perraud 6 (Walker-Peters 80); Walcott 6 (Bednarek 46; 6), Ward-Prowse 6, Romeu 6, Djenepo 5 (Diallo 70; 6); Adams 6, Armstrong 7.

Manchester United (4-2-3-1) De Gea 6; Wan-Bissaka 5, Lindelof 6, Maguire 6, Shaw 6; Fred 4 (McTominay 76), Matic 5 (Lingard 86); Greenwood 7, Fernandes 7, Pogba 8 ; Martial 5 (Sancho 59; 5)

What’s next for United?

After the trip to the south coast, the Red Devils face another away game next week, when they take on Wolverhampton Wanderers away from home. The Midlands club have lost both of their opening two games and Solskjaer’s men won at Molineux on the final day of the season. United fans also have a lot to look out for on Thursday, with the Champions League group-stage draw taking place.