BREAKING NEWS: Coming live from Old Trafford, “He played well today but his ‘WELL’ is not enough for me he missed great chance that could have put the game to bed this got me frustrated. I need strikers with great killer instincts not just kicking the ball.” Van nistelrooy fumes as he’s not happy with player performance against Southampton. Manchester united got the second win of the season after a terrible start to the season. Manchester United were under the cosh early on against Southampton but eventually grabbed all three points with a commanding 3-0 win on Saturday. Van nistelrooy warns – Clever link-up play from Joshua Zirkzee throughout but is lacking killer instinct up top.

Manchester United found themselves under pressure early on against Southampton, but they eventually secured a dominant 3-0 victory on Saturday. Despite a challenging start, United managed to grab all three points, largely thanks to some key moments and standout performances.

The turning point of the match came in the 33rd minute when goalkeeper Andre Onana made a crucial penalty save. Southampton had a golden opportunity to take the lead, but Onana’s heroics kept the scoreline level. This moment seemed to inspire Manchester United, as they quickly took control of the game. Just minutes later, they scored twice within six minutes, giving them a commanding lead going into halftime.

Erik ten Hag will be particularly pleased with the contributions of Matthijs de Ligt and Marcus Rashford, who both found the back of the net. Both players had faced criticism during the international break, and their goals came at a perfect time to silence their doubters. De Ligt’s goal opened the scoring, while Rashford ended his own goal drought with United’s second, ensuring that they went into the break with a 2-0 advantage.

Alejandro Garnacho added a third goal in stoppage time, putting the game out of reach for Southampton. While the scoreline suggests a comfortable win, United could have scored even more had they been more clinical in front of goal. Several missed opportunities prevented the match from becoming a complete rout.

One of the standout performers for Manchester United was Joshua Zirkzee, despite his failure to find the net. The Dutch forward was involved in several promising attacking moves and showed clever play throughout the match. However, he also missed two golden chances, one in each half, which could have further extended United’s lead. Nonetheless, Ten Hag will likely be pleased with Zirkzee’s overall contribution to the team’s attacking play.

Zirkzee, who is known for his intelligent movement and ability to link up with his teammates, dropped deep frequently to help Manchester United build their attacks. He often played short passes with his teammates, helping to create space for runners. His involvement in the game was significant, with 40 touches of the ball, an 82 percent passing accuracy, and two shots on target. One of his efforts was blocked, but his presence in the attack was felt throughout the match (all stats via SofaScore).

The former Bologna player has demonstrated that he is a clever manipulator of space, almost functioning as an additional No. 10 at times. He created two key passes and completed all three of his attempted dribbles, showing his technical ability and quick feet. However, despite his contributions in link-up play, Zirkzee’s performance highlighted an area where he still needs improvement—scoring goals.

While Zirkzee’s deep positioning helped Manchester United in their build-up play, it also meant the team lacked a focal point up front. The Dutch forward sometimes struggled to adapt to the pace and physicality of the Premier League, and he lost possession 10 times during the match. At times, he took too long to make decisions, allowing the opposition to regain control. Despite his hard work defensively, where he won four of his seven duels and made one interception, Zirkzee will ultimately be judged by his ability to score goals, and that is something he has yet to deliver consistently.

With Rasmus Højlund currently sidelined due to injury, Ten Hag will need more from Zirkzee in the coming weeks. The Dutch forward’s intelligence and clever play are evident, but Manchester United need him to be more clinical in front of goal. As the team’s primary striker in Højlund’s absence, Zirkzee will be expected to step up and provide the goals the team desperately needs.

After the match, Ten Hag was seen offering encouragement to Zirkzee, recognizing the positive aspects of his performance. It is clear that the manager has faith in the young forward’s abilities, but there is also a clear expectation that his clever play will soon translate into goals. With United looking to build momentum in their Premier League campaign, Zirkzee’s contributions will be crucial, especially in the absence of their star striker.

As Manchester United continue their season, performances like these will be key in helping the team recover from their early struggles. While there is still room for improvement, the win against Southampton is a positive step forward, and the team will hope to build on this result in the coming weeks. For Zirkzee, the focus will be on turning his intelligent play into tangible contributions in front of goal, as Manchester United look to climb the Premier League table.