Erik ten Hag Reacts As Man United Sinks Southampton In Hard-fought Premier League Encounter.

Manchester United continued their streak of victories against Southampton, and Casemiro received his first start.

United started the match the better side and had a lot of golden opportunities in the first half which they failed to capitalise on.

A second-half volley from Bruno Fernandes was enough to separate the sides at St Mary's, earning Ten Hag his first competitive away win since taking charge of the Reds in the summer.

Alongside captain Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo, Casemiro started the game on the bench. He was given about 10 minutes of playing time to help United win the game.

The victory ended their seven-game road losing record that had been going on since last season and, after four games, temporarily moved them up to sixth position.

United should have taken the lead in the 19th minute with an unchanged team from their 2-1 victory over Liverpool, but Gavin Bazunu and Armel Bella-Kotchap stopped Anthony Elanga and Christian Eriksen from scoring close-range.

On the half-hour mark, Bella-Kotchap nearly gave Southampton the lead after hauling down a James Ward-Prowse corner but missed the target.

After the break, United came out firing, and their pressure paid off in the 55th minute when Fernandes, filling in admirably for Harry Maguire who was absent, scored with a low shot from the edge of the box.

While Southampton enjoyed possession of the ball, the hosts were unable to score an equalizer as United manager Erik ten Hag went to Cristiano Ronaldo and Casemiro, a recent addition from Real Madrid.

Manager Erik ten Hag said in his post-match interview, that he was pleased his team learn from their previous mistakes against Brentford.

“I think the players learnt some lessons from Brentford. We were more compact on the long balls. 

“Of course, we were really happy. The goal we created, we could have made more. You hope to have more control in the last 30 minutes of the game.

“At the start of the game, we could have created more. It is the start of the season, it is tough. You have to battle and we did that today so we were rewarded.

“We kept control straight after half time, moved it around and we created three really good chances straight after half time.

“I still feel there’s room for improvement, to control more, but we are not that long in our way. We can improve that’s clear.”

When asked about United’s transfer plans for the remainder of the window, Erik ten Hag added:

“I cannot say that. If there are players available then we will strike. We will be alert until the last second of the window.”