Man Utd held by Saints after losing lead again

Manchester United let another half-time lead slip as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Southampton at Old Trafford.

Che Adams’ goal early in the second half cancelled out Jadon Sancho’s first Premier League goal in front of his home fans as United wasted the chance to move back up to fourth.

It is the fourth time in six games that United have failed to win after being ahead at the interval, an unfortunate habit for Ralf Rangnick’s side that could prove costly.

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Southampton needed a fine save from Fraser Forster to deny Harry Maguire in stoppage time but were excellent in the second half and spurned numerous opportunities to win the match themselves.

United, meanwhile, with Cristiano Ronaldo back in the starting line-up, faded badly and there was a smattering of boos upon the final whistle.

The result means Ralph Hasenhuttl’s team stay 10th, while Manchester United move up one place to fifth – above Arsenal but still outside the Champions League places.

The damning statistics for Man Utd

• Manchester United have averaged fewer goals per game under Ralf Rangnick than they have under any other manager in Premier League history (1.4 – 14 goals in 10 games).
• For only the second time in their Premier League history, Manchester United have failed to win back-to-back matches despite being ahead at half-time in both, having last done so in December 1998.

Familiar problems for Rangnick

“Unfortunately, it was very similar to the last couple of games,” said Rangnick afterwards.

“A very good first half, very good first half hour. We did all the things we intended to do with the counter-attacks and the deep runs. We created, scored a great goal.

“Then we stopped doing that. At the end of the first half we didn’t do those things any more and then in the second we lost a bit of shape.

“In the first 20 minutes we were struggling to defend, that happened in transition when they scored their goal. In the last 20 minutes, we had big chances to score again, expected goals was in our favour but we didn’t get the result.

“We told the players they needed to be aggressive [at half-time] but in the end it is different to perform like that on the pitch.”

Sancho is a positive for United

One positive for the home side was the performance of Sancho. He was the best Manchester United player on the pitch – amid little competition.

It has been a long wait for that first Premier League goal at Old Trafford but, in a wide-open game, he was the catalyst for all that was good about United right from the start.

Twice he went close before turning in Marcus Rashford’s centre from close range via the boot of Kyle Walker-Peters. He continued to work but his team surrendered momentum.

Saints maintain their fine form

They looked vulnerable early on but Southampton are becoming a firm favourite of the neutrals with their commitment to pressing the ball and playing attacking football.

United were never comfortable and there were chances to win it – the brilliant Armando Broja getting his attempted chip wrong and Stuart Armstrong blazing over when well placed.

The draw was the least that they deserved. Four points from two away games against Tottenham and Manchester United represents a fine week’s work.

What’s next?

Manchester United host Brighton on Tuesday February 15; kick-off 7.45pm. Southampton take on Everton at St Mary’s next Saturday at 3pm.