Manchester United’s win away to Southampton was much-needed from a results POV, but it also provided necessary vindication for Erik ten Hag.
A maiden goal from Matthijs de Ligt set Manchester United on their way, before Marcus Rashford broke his goalscoring duck, and Alejandro Garnacho added the icing to the cake.
The win was comfortable outside of the first thirty minutes, especially in the second half when Southampton made things even more difficult for themselves with a red card.
However, when the team news had dropped before kickoff, the feeling was anything but comfortable, especially due to a shock call by Ten Hag.
Erik ten Hag vindicated
There was one change that was widely expected before this game, since Casemiro could not, in good faith, stake a claim for a starting berth after his disaster vs Liverpool.
Therefore, it was natural that Manuel Ugarte, who had minutes in his legs on international duty, would make his Man United debut.
As it happened, Ugarte did make his United debut, but only off the bench, as Christian Eriksen returned from the wilderness for his first league start of the season.
Southampton’s proactive pressing vs Eriksen’s labouring legs? That’s not a bet that many were putting in favour of the Dane.
However, against all odds, not only was Eriksen encouraging in his duels and confident in his passing, he fixed one of United’s biggest weaknesses for a long while on this day.
Starting alongside Kobbie Mainoo in a double pivot, he played progressively and kept the ball moving but his true impact was felt when the ball was static.
United finally looked threatening from set-pieces, with De Ligt getting his head to score from a chance created off a corner taken by Eriksen.
Throughout the game until he was subbed, United tested the opponents from set-pieces largely due to the Dane’s pinpoint deliveries and routines set by new set-piece coach Andreas Georgson.
It set the tone for a day where everything went right for United outside of the first thirty minutes.
Christian Eriksen’s role in the squad
The United first XI doesn’t, and shouldn’t have Eriksen in it, that is clear. However, what is also clear is that football is a team game and the Manchester United squad doesn’t have anyone like him.
Against teams where United can expect to dominate possession, or need calm ball-players to break through a press, Eriksen should come straight in, even for Manuel Ugarte if the opponent demands it.
This game was a perfect encapsulation of what makes Eriksen so valuable in the modern game, despite his waning engine.
His contract expires next summer so there was talk of him departing this year but he ended up staying. If he keeps popping up with these displays when called upon, then he will make a mockery of the minuscule fee United would have received had they cashed in on him.
His quality minutes on the pitch during a packed season are far more valuable for United right now.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
