Manchester United five things noticed vs Southampton, Ruben Amorim screaming out for injured star

Rúben Amorim is screaming out for one of his injured stars to return as an Amad Diallo hattrick saw Manchester United defeat Southampton on Thursday evening.

Rúben Amorim chose to start Rasmus Højlund over Joshua Zirkzee as Manchester United welcomed Southampton for the first fixture at Old Trafford in 2025.

The Premier League tie started with United dominating in possession, but Southampton had the more potent threat after 15 minutes. Alejandro Garnacho had a chance after 20 minutes, but he put his effort wide from ten yards out.

Despite having numerous chances to open the scoring, Southampton could not break down André Onana, with the Cameroon international performing a stunning double-save to keep the scores level after 30 minutes.

Just before halftime, it was Southampton who took the lead, scoring their first corner of the Premier League season after the ball deflected off Manuel Ugarte and into the back of the next.

With the second half underway, Amorim replaced Kobbie Mainoo with Antony, and Bruno Fernandes dropped deeper, and although United looked better once the further substitutes of Joshua Zirkzee and Toby Collyer came on, although United still looked dodgy.

Then, the Amad show arrived. Finishing brilliantly past Aaron Ramsdale for his first of the evening with eight minutes to go, he then latched onto a brilliant ball from Christian Eriksen to notch his second of the night and hand united a list-minute lead.

In true Ivorian fashion, he then closed down a loose touch at the back, securing himself a third of the night in just 12 minutes as he secured his first-ever senior hat-trick and all three points in a HUGE win for Amorim.

#1 – United’s system was lost after the changes

Amorim made three changes for the tie, with Amad dropping to wing-back, Onana reinstated in goal, and Leny Yoro playing over Harry Maguire.

Despite the side still looking strong, it seemed as if the system the side had spent the last two weeks building on had been thrown entirely out of the window, with the players lumping the ball to Rasmus Højlund whenever they could during the first 45 minutes.

In the second half, the side were able to recover some of their good work, but without individual brilliance from Amad, they would have been left in the pits.

#2 – United’s shambolic defending of corners continues

This season, a lot of noise has rightfully been made surrounding just how bad United are at dealing with cotners, and this was once again on display for Southampton’s first goal of the night.

A low corner to the front post was flicked on yb Tyler Dibling and came off the back of Ugarte to and Southampton the lead, but it’s United’s reputation surrounding corners more than anything that hurts them now.

It has been obvious that all teams need to do against United is throw men into the six-yard box and lump the ball in, and there’s a solid chance they will score. It’s shambolic.

#3 – There’s a mentality problem within the squad

When United were playing with little pressure, away from home against Liverpool and then Arsenal, the squad were fantastic.

However, as soon as they were in the position of playing a game and going into it as clear favourites, it seemed that they crumbled under pressure, showing a clear problem with the mentality of the players.

The players who have prevailed under Amorim the most, namely Fernandes and Amad, were the ones who carried the side on their back when searching for and finding an equaliser and subsequent winner before taking his hat-trick—the others… the less said, the better.

#4 – United are screaming out for quick-thinking footballers

United’s display against Southampton showed more than anything that, when the team play sides that will concede bouts of possession to them, they are missing players who are quick-thinking.

United looked much better with Zirkzee on the field at Old Trafford, and if United had others like him on the field, such as the injured Mason Mount, they would be able to do so much more with the ball at their feet.

Amad is another one of those players who can think on their feet with his ridiculous 12-minute trio of goals, and it showed with his goal. If Mount can remain fit once he returns, United will look a different side.

#5 – Amorim learnt a lot tonight, but his problems still remain

Before the game, Amorim said he thinks he will learn more about his squad tonight then against Liverpool and Arsenal combined, and he did – it’s just not what he wanted to learn.

As mentioned above, United have a mentality issue, and they are missing clever footballers who know how manipulate the ball.

A really poor display has been completely saved by a truly world-class end of the game from Amad, and Amorim will know this.

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