Two players “set the tone” during Man United’s win over Southampton, Erik ten Hag will be very pleased

Former Premier League player Danny Murphy has praised two Manchester United players for their performances against Southampton.

Erik ten Hag’s side put in a dominant performance, confidently beating Southampton 3-0 on an away trip down south.

With goals for United coming from Matthijs de Ligt, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho, it was De Ligt who alongside his centre-back partner Lisandro Martinez, drew specific praise from Murphy.

Starting together for just the second time in the Premier League, Murphy believes the partnership of Martinez and De Ligt “set the tone” for the rest of the team.

Writing in a column for MailOnline, Murphy brought attention in particular to the efforts of the duo to impact the game with their physicality. Murphy added that both players showed their aggression in “wanting to win the ball.”

With their only previous start together being the 3-0 defeat to Liverpool ahead of the international break, Murphy was quick to explain how the errors in that game were not the fault of the two centre-halves.

“We know, better opposition such as Liverpool could have finished off United,” Murphy wrote. “But that’s not the fault of the centre-halves; all defenders need some protection which is why Manuel Ugarte has been signed.”

With Martinez and De Ligt both forced off through injury, there were concerns about if the pair would be out for an extended period of time.

However, speaking ahead of United’s EFL Cup game against Barnsley on Tuesday night, Ten Hag was quick to confirm that these substitutions were just precautionary and both will be available for selection.

News of the duo’s fitness will be welcome by Ten Hag says Murphy with the former Liverpool and Fulham star writing that the Dutchman needs the pair to play together for the foreseeable.

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