Five things we learned as Manchester United draw 1-1 with Southampton

Manchester United have drawn 1-1 away at Southampton. Mason Greenwood scored United’s equaliser.

Here is a look at five things we learned from the game…

United have failed to take lessons from last season

Last season Manchester United’s away games were often so predictable, concede early and then come from behind and get a result.

It seems little has been learned, with United trailing 1-0 at half-time.

While United can always come back, the team leave themselves little margin for error, and the trick can’t keep being repeated.

United were on top in the first 20 minutes against Southampton and failed to make them pay. The team need to be more clinical, and this may come as the players sharpen up.

But whereas last week against Leeds felt like a hopeful new dawn, this game felt like we had seen it all before.

Southampton v Manchester United - Premier League — Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images

Pogba so key for United

With Paul Pogba quiet in the first half, you could see the critics rubbing their hands to moan about his inconsistency.

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Pogba made sure that was not the case today, by stepping up with an impressive second half display.

Mason Greenwood scored the equaliser early in the first half but it was all about Pogba, who drove into the box, played a one-two with Bruno Fernandes, and then laid on another assist to the teenage forward.

Martial recall fails

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to persist with Anthony Martial and his stance on the striker could not have been more obvious here.

Mason Greenwood was superb against Leeds and seemed set to start this game up front, but Solskjaer’s determination to get Martial into the line-up moved the teenager out to the right.

Martial nearly repaid Solskjaer immediately, having a header cleared off the line in the opening 10 minutes. But that was as close as he came.

Martial barely offered a threat afterwards and it seems unlikely he will start the next fixture away at Wolves, especially with Edinson Cavani returning to fitness.

When he was substituted after 58 minutes it was no surprise at all.

Fred and Matic partnership struggles

Scott McTominay dropped out of the starting line-up for Nemanja Matic, and the difference was obvious.

United lacked bite in midfield, with Matic ineffective apart from one header on target, while Fred seemed to take a step backwards.

This was a game which underlined what United fans have been saying all summer, the midfield is not strong enough and needs strengthening.

Both players stepped it up slightly in the second half but it was in the first where the damage was done.

Dave saves

United’s work in the second half was almost undone by sloppy defensive play from Harry Maguire which put Adam Armstrong through on goal.

Fortunately United were bailed out by a crucial one on one save by David de Gea.

De Gea kept his nerve and did not panic. It was an outstanding piece of goalkeeping which signified he has the quality to keep hold of his spot this season.

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