Premier League Review – Manchester United given causes for optimism

Manchester United sealed victory against Southampton on sunday despite being reduced to 10 men when they started the match with Wayne Rooney. His presence was embarrassing, given his inability to play passes that were not slow and out to the wings. Even the ability to pass five yards ahead of him has left him, as he was responsible for the failure of one promising counterattack.

Aside from that, United can, for once, be optimistic. David De Gea demonstrated why some people regard him as the greatest living Spaniard, pulling off excellent saves throughout the match. The defense wasn’t a complete disaster in Luke Shaw’s absence, and was largely capable with Marcos Rojo introduced in his place. It struggled at times, but so would many defenses against Southampton. Only when Paddy McNair was introduced did it become seriously squeaky, but introducing young players from a position of strength is a necessary risk, and one that has been rarely available to United in the previous two seasons.

For all the criticism Memphis has been receiving recently, it should be noted that it was his assist for Juan Mata that ensured United didn’t come away with a disappointing 2-2 draw, but an inspirational, well-fought 3-2 victory. His spin inside the box gave room for a shot to thud off the post and into Mata’s path – there are enough moments of ability to justify his youthful inconsistency being indulged Anybody suggesting his transfer was a misstep is operating from a position of melodrama, not any definitive insight.

The biggest reason for optimism beyond De Gea and Memphis is obvious, though. Anthony Martial might have been fortunate to latch onto Maya Yoshida’s witless backpass, but the calmness in converting that chance and the equaliser recalled the best of Robin van Persie for United, in his first season. In that year he appeared to be able to take as many touches as he wanted, each making the final shot the simplest one available given the time and space he was afforded. It is too early to know how this will end up, but many of the best United moments have come from the presence of an inspirational Frenchman.

To crown it all up, the players dedicated the big victory to their injured team mate Luke Shaw.