The stat that will encourage Ten Hag after Man Utd win at Southampton

Suraj Radia

• 14 Sept 2024 14:45 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United will be hoping to have kick-started their season with their 3-0 win at Southampton but the result will be even more satisfying for Erik ten Hag for one specific reason.

First half goals from Matthijs de Ligt and Marcus Rashford ensured United never lost control despite an initial scare which saw Andre Onana save Cameron Archer’s penalty after Southampton dominating the early proceedings.

The result was precisely what United and Ten Hag needed after back-to-back defeats against Brighton and Liverpool, with the Red Devils also being able to bring summer signing Manuel Ugarte on off the bench for a second-half debut.

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The introduction of Ugarte combined with the presence of De Ligt ensured United never looked uncomfortable in defence even with a number of injuries to their backline throughout the game.

And the result provided United with just their second away Premier League clean sheet in 2024, with the first coming on the final day of last season against Brighton.

A win, a rare away clean sheet and new signings slowly making their mark – Ten Hag will finally feel as though there are no excuses for United to finally hit their stride and showcase his philosophy to silence any doubters.

De Ligt and Rashford provide relief for Ten Hag and United

The outcome will also be particularly satisfying for Rashford, who netted his first goal since March, as well as De Ligt, who was criticised after being hooked at half-time for the Netherlands during the international break.

De Ligt was named man of the match and the 25-year-old look assured in defence until he went off injured with cramp for the final few minutes, all while providing a goal at the most crucial time for United.

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It perhaps could have been so different for United had Archer scored his penalty after being tripped by Diogo Dalot, particularly after Southampton had given the visitors the runaround to start the game.

But De Ligt’s headed goal came just four minutes after the missed penalty and provided the exact type of calmness that the Dutchman was brought in for.

With Ugarte set to be eased into action, Ten Hag will be confident that the Uruguayan’s emergence, combined with the return of key players from injury will help provide the springboard for success, although the performance will need to be emulated at Crystal Palace next week.