Southampton hosted Manchester United in Saturday’s early kickoff in the Premier League. The Saints came into this game on the back of wins over Brighton and Fulham in the league and Carabao Cup respectively, while United had been defeated at home by Crystal Palace in their last game. Both clubs needed a win to boost their ambitions ahead of the international break, and this tactical analysis piece will look at both sides’ tactics and provide an analysis of why Manchester United were unable to break down a resolute Southampton side.
Lineups
Ralph Hasenhüttl made a couple of changes from the side that beat Brighton, with Cédric replacing Yan Valery at right-back, and Sofiane Boufal coming in for the injured Nathan Redmond on the wing. Kevin Danso continued in an unfamiliar left-back role.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær was forced into a couple of changes, as Ashley Young and Juan Mata replaced the injured duo of Luke Shaw and Anthony Martial.
Southampton’s press unsettles United
Hasenhüttl was renowned for the way his RB Leipzig side pressed from the front, and the Austrian has tried to implement the same tactic on the south coast as well. Southampton pressed United for most of the game, right up until Kevin Danso’s sending off in the second half, and this prevented United from playing out from the back for the most part.
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