Ex-Liverpool player praises Manchester United star’s “ability to scare” against Southampton

One Manchester United winger has been praised following Erik ten Hag’s 3-0 win over Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

After consecutive defeats to Brighton and Liverpool, Manchester United bounced back emphatically following the international break, delivering a dominant performance against Southampton at St. Mary’s Stadium.

The match began briskly, and 30 minutes in, Diogo Dalot fouled Tyler Dibling inside the box. However, André Onana came to United’s rescue by saving the penalty, shifting the momentum in favour of Erik ten Hag‘s side.

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Just moments later, Matthijs de Ligt headed in a brilliant cross from Bruno Fernandes, marking his first goal for the club. Before the break, Marcus Rashford doubled the lead with a low, curling shot, notching his first goal of the season.

In the second half, United continued to press for more. In stoppage time, Alejandro Garnacho capped off the victory with a powerful finish into the roof of the net, sealing the three points and ensuring the team returned to Old Trafford on a high.

Speaking on Match of the Day while analysing the game, former Liverpool star Danny Murphy particularly praised Rashford and the player’s “ability to scare” defenders.

“I thought that both Manchester United and himself started poorly, and that was due to Southampton being really good in the first 20 to 30 minutes. 

“But once they recovered from that, a good spell of pressure from Southampton, he grew into the game and looked more like the Rashford we know, causing teams problems with his pace and his dynamism.

“It’s his best performance of the season. I think when he doesn’t think and he just really is direct and confident in his play, it makes such a difference. 

“We know he’s got that explosive pace and that ability to scare [defenders]. 

“He just grew into the game as the whole United team did. One goes [shot] goes in for you, a great little finish like that, all of a sudden, he starts getting on the ball more, and he starts looking confident.”

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