Sir Alex's expectation for his successor, David Moyes, at Manchester United was very high. Although at the beginning of the season David Moyes showed a less convincing performance, but Sir Alex believed Moyes need enough time to handle Manchester United. Just trust the process.
Therein lies the problem. The process of big club transition was sometimes the most crucial period. To get back up, it took a lot of time. But will Manchester United fans gave Moyes that much time? No matter how bad Manchester United was, in the hands of Sir Alex, the Red Devils was at least always in the top 4 positions. But look at the current Premier League table. Manchester United was stranded in 7th position.
The sudden change and reality that did not match with expectations, made Manchester United fans, especially fanatics were bullying Moyes to the fullest. Every Manchester United game there will be someone raised the #MoyesOut banner. After Sir Alex's retirement, Manchester United seems to be sinking.
Manchester United fans didn't have that much patience. After failing to win Premier League two years in a row, Manchester United clearly want to win this season. But look at how Manchester United played under Moyes. Obviously they were frustrated.
Van Persie, who hopes to win the Premier League championship with Manchester United, seems to regret his choice to see the Red Devils stuck in 7th position. Several times in front of the media, Van Persie was not shy to express his disappointment with the Manchester United coach. Apart from Van Persie, new players like Pogba and Anthony Martial had not have a good harmony with David Moyes.
Meanwhile, the old Manchester United players seem to be in doubt. On the one hand they want to support Moyes because Sir Alex really trusts Moyes. However, on the other side, differences in coaching, differences in results and others, make them unable to trust Moyes as the coach of Manchester United.
In the midst of this anxiety, Manchester United welcomed Southampton at Old Trafford. Last season, Southampton beat Liverpool and gave Manchester United hope to win. But Southampton was also the one who thwarted Manchester United's Premier League champions.
Bennett, who was loaned out by Manchester United, will now face his own club. Bennet himself probably never thought that the club he played would be in higher level than Manchester United themselves.
Kazuki, who was released by Manchester United last season, will also face his old club for the second time. You could say Southampton had a close relationship with Manchester United.
"Welcome to the 18th round of the English premier league. This time Manchester United will welcome Southampton. The fate of Manchester United and Southampton seems to have turned around. At the start of the season, many media were confident about Manchester United. The arrival of Pogba, Anthony Martial and Robin Van Persie should have make Manchester United more competitive in the fight for the premier league.
Meanwhile Southampton, who lost several players, is predicted to be at best only reaching 8th position. But now look at the reality. Southampton is at the top of the Premier League table while Manchester United are in 7th position. This shows us that in football anything can happen.
Alright for this match Manchester United fielded a 4-3-3 formation. The players who played are as follows.
Goalkeepers: David de Gea;
Defenders: Rafael da Silva, Johnny Evans, Rio Fernand, Patrice Evra.
Midfielders: Carrick, Pogba, Cleverly
Front: Anthony Martial, Robin Van Persie, Christopher Ron.
Meanwhile, Southampton used their flagship formation, namely 4-2-3-1.
Goalkeepers: Dean Smith;
Defenders: Freddy, Okhalo, Hilton, Benson;
Defensive midfielders: Simone, Rudolf;
Attacking midfielders: Rustan, Ryan, Kounde;
Front: Kazuki.
Alright, both teams have entered the penalty box. Let's watch the game between Manchester United and Southampton."
Manchester United started the game with a kick-off. Immediately after Manchester United kick-off, Southampton put pressure on Manchester United. In facing the Red Devils, Southampton played aggressively. Too bad Manchester United had Pogba. The player was able to calmly eliminate pressure from Southampton and even help other players to get out of pressure.
At the beginning of the first half, Pogba seemed busy helping Manchester United withstand high pressure from Southampton. At some point, he tried to release a long pass. However, Ryan always bothered him. Ryan knows Pogba's long pass was dangerous for Southampton. Although Southampton attacked fiercely. However, no opportunities had been created yet.
A new opportunity appeared in the 9th minute, Pogba provided a long pass to Robin Van Persie. Van Persie clashed with Okhalo in an aerial duel. He then provided a pass to Anthony Martial. Anthony received the pass then ran with the ball at high speed. Then he approached the penalty box. Anthony tricked Hilton and entered the penalty box. Then he gave a powerful kick.
Too bad Anthony's kick flew over the post. Goal-kick was given to Dean Smith. Anthony seems to be wasting his chances. Robin Van Persie also looked angry with Anthony's aimless kick. Robin was free at that time.
In the 15th minute, Southampton launched an attack. Rudolf looks for the ball from Thomas Cleverly. He then brought the ball forward and gave it to Ryan. Ryan received the ball, but he immediately gave it to Simone. The Southampton captain provided a long pass to the right. Rustan immediately ran, he collided with Evra speed. Rustan was ahead but Evra held Rustan's shirt, so Rustan had trouble running.
Southampton free kick. The referee blew the whistle and gave Evra a light warning. Ryan took the free kick. He and Kazuki stood in front of the ball. Kazuki ran first. While in front of the ball Kazuki made a fake kick. Manchester United players hooked, then Ryan immediately took the free kick.
The ball immediately drove towards the center of the penalty box. Rudolf appeared among the crowd of players. He then changed the direction of the ball with a header. But David de Gea did well, he managed to block Rudolf's header with his hands. As a result, these opportunities failed to convert into goals.
In the 21st minute, Pogba passed Ryan. He then passed the ball to Carrick. Carrick received the ball, but he was under Simone's pressure, so Carrick only passed the ball to the Manchester United right-back. Rafael da Silva went forward, he received the ball and dribbles the ball forward. Rafael gives the ball to Anthony. Then ran to the right flank of Southampton.
Anthony provided a through ball to Rafael. Rafael received the ball from Anthony, soon, he sent a cross into the middle of the penalty box. Dean Smith ran off the field, then he caught the ball while it was still in the air. His actions made Robin Van Persie fail to take advantage of that opportunity.. Manchester United and Southampton still failed to break the score 0-0.