“All my players were scared of him yesterday and they openly admitted it… I’ve suspended THREE of them till further notice”: Barnsley coach suspends THREE players for failing to handle £68m Man United star after they admitted it openly
Manchester United began their Premier League campaign with a convincing 3-0 win over Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium. With high expectations, United sought to extend their impressive record against newly promoted teams, having lost only once in their last 30 encounters and remaining unbeaten in 12 consecutive trips to Southampton. This game provided an opportunity for United to showcase their ambitions for the season.
Manager Erik ten Hag introduced some tactical adjustments, most notably starting Christian Eriksen in place of the out-of-form Casemiro, aiming to bring more fluidity to the midfield. Manuel Ugarte, a recent signing, was not fully fit and made only a brief appearance late in the game.
From the beginning, United dominated, creating several scoring opportunities. Joshua Zirkzee, starting the match, came close to scoring but lacked the power to beat Southampton’s goalkeeper, Aaron Ramsdale, who comfortably made the save. United kept up the pressure, constantly threatening to break the deadlock.
United had a scare when Diogo Dalot fouled Southampton’s Tyler Dibbling, leading to a penalty. Goalkeeper Andre Onana, however, kept his cool and saved Cameron Archer’s penalty, diving to his right and preventing Southampton from taking the lead.
Following this crucial save, United regained control. Bruno Fernandes sent a pinpoint cross to Matthijs de Ligt, who scored his debut goal for the club with a powerful header. This shifted the momentum in United’s favor, fulfilling the high hopes surrounding de Ligt’s transfer.
Just before halftime, Marcus Rashford ended his goal drought by scoring his first goal of the season, giving United a 2-0 lead at the break, much to Ten Hag’s relief.
The second half saw United continue to dominate while keeping Southampton at bay. Southampton’s chances of a comeback diminished when Jack Stephens was sent off for a reckless challenge on Alejandro Garnacho, leaving the home side with ten men.
United sealed their victory when Diogo Dalot assisted Garnacho, who finished confidently to score United’s third goal. This performance underscored the depth of United’s squad. The game ended with a commanding win for United, highlighting their determination for the season. With six points from their first four matches, they next face Barnsley in the Carabao Cup on September 17, followed by a Premier League clash with Crystal Palace on September 21, as they aim to build on their winning form.
