Four things Ruben Amorim actually learned about Man Utd vs Southampton
Manchester United needed a late show from Amad Diallo to avoid an embarrassing defeat against Southampton at Old Trafford with Ruben Amorim given plenty of food for thought
by Samuel Meade · The MirrorAmad completed a one-man rescue mission as Manchester United's blushes were spared against Southampton.
The Premier League's basement side, who've won once all season, were ten minutes away from three points at Old Trafford before the young winger took matters into his own hand with a quick fire hat-trick.
It ensured Ruben Amorim's side didn't sink into old habits with the team yet to prove they have properly turned a corner despite impressive showings at Liverpool and Arsenal. The three points pushes them closer to the top half but there were still some alarming takeaways for the team.
United won the reverse fixture 3-0, one of the few commanding performances during Erik ten Hag's poor start to the season. The Saints had only taken two points on the road all year and this had all the hallmarks of a home banker.
The hosts did their best to make it anything but as the Old Trafford crowd were made to sweat on a potential upset, the likes of which would've undone all their good work to start 2025.
Prior to the game, Amorim predicted that he would learn more about his side when playing the struggling Saints, compared to when they take on Premier League giants like Arsenal and Liverpool. So what did the United boss really discover about the squad he will have to use for the remainder of this season?
Amad is the team's talisman
It was during the Manchester derby win that the young Ivorian really stood up and was prepared to almost take on a team singlehandedly. Since then he's gone from strength to strength and has become the figure United look to when they're struggling.
On Thursday Amad showed, again, that he's ready to step up when the chips are down. His desire to be positive with the ball, not simply pass it sideways or backwards, was crucial in United rescuing the game. His movement for the second goal was particularly impressive and, despite his tender age, he's becoming the silent leader the team need right now.
A back-up plan is needed
Whilst results at Liverpool and Arsenal were impressive, some context may be needed. In both games United were under the cosh, knew they had to soak up pressure and play on the break, which almost suited their 3-4-3 system allowing them to slip into a back five and also have width to strike fast in attack.
That works when United are perceived as the underdogs. However when they need to put it on a team and really play on the front foot their system seems to hinder them. Part of that is understanding how to use Amorim's philosophy as a weapon going forward, but against Southampton there seemed to be no idea in attack, no spark, no pattern that would allow them to break through a low block. Moments of magic, from Amad on this occasion, cannot always be the answer.
Hojlund still not delivering
Sooner or later the question will have to be asked - just how long do we give the young Dane? When United signed Ramus Hojlund from Atalanta for big money they knew they were going to have to be patient with the striker far from the finished article.
Now though, after 18 months, they may have hoped the frontman would be further down the road on his development. Hojlund has looked a little lost at times playing on his own up front, especially if there's a lack of support around him, and against Southampton he cut a peripheral figure before being taken off.
Yoro still has a way to go
The teenager was one of the club's statement signings in the summer and it was a blow to lose him for the opening months as injury struck. He's since returned but has been in and out of the first XI with Amorim still looking to blood in the former Lille man.
Whilst there have been moments of class, against Southampton he produced his worst showing in the Manchester red. He struggled to deal with the threat of Kamaldeen Sulemana and when he was eventually hauled off on 82 minutes it felt a long time coming on what was a night of discovery for the defender and his manager.
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