In the end, Manchester United managed to tough it out and hang on to the all-important victory away at Southampton. The game itself was an intense affair, with the hosts controlling most of the ball and putting Jose Mourinho’s team under pressure as they searched for an equaliser.
However, a defence led by Phil Jones stood firm, and a whole heap of credit has to go to the back four for that. However, the self-proclaimed Special One praised Marcus Rashford after the match.
The 19-year-old is known for his attacking prowess rather than his defensive diligence, but Mourinho sounded absolutely delighted with the work that the man from Wythenshawe put in on that side of the ball.
“Marcus was phenomenal, he was phenomenal. Cedric [Soares] is a very good offensive full back, and [James] Ward-Prowse is a good crosser of the ball, so it was a good side.” Mourinho told Sky Sports News.
“Marcus felt what everybody else felt in the team, if we don’t concede we win three points, so let’s fight hard not to concede.
“It’s not always possible to have high quality, but we fought hard. We fought hard. We did for 20 to 25 minutes what many teams in the Premier League do for 90 minutes, which is play with five at the back and defend with a low block.
“But credit to Southampton, they played, tried to play, they always try, Pellegrino sent a second striker in to play more direct to play more aggressive.”
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