It wasn’t a classic performance, but Manchester United’s win over Southampton still represented something of a vintage display.
The ability to win ugly when you have underperformed is a crucial trait for any top side, and although United might not be Premier League title challengers yet, they deserve credit for grinding out three points this weekend when they could have easily let their lead slip.
In recent years, United might have crumbled late on, succumbing to Southampton’s pressure, and although they rode their luck at times, it was a true show of resilience when their backs were against the wall. READ MORE: Casemiro is showing why United signed him A 1-0 away win on the South Coast might not have been celebrated during the glory days; in fact, it most probably would have been dissected as a sign of United’s impending demise, but this one most certainly showed some positives.
There were glimmers of genuine quality, starting with Raphael Varane's commanding centre-back performance, while the goal from Bruno Fernandes was a fantastic end to a well-worked move.