Maguire-less United continue resurgence
The overall performance was anything but convincing, yet Manchester United continued to show signs of improvement with a resolute display in Saturday's narrow victory over Southampton.
Fresh off stunning Liverpool and quelling the panic that followed two losses to open the season, United grinded their way to a 1-0 win to make it back-to-back Premier League victories for the first time since February. And, thanks to a strong defensive performance, manager Erik ten Hag's squad registered the team's first clean sheet on the road since December in a match that club captain Harry Maguire watched from the bench.
The flourishing partnership of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez helped contain a promising Southampton attack that threatened to score throughout the contest. Meanwhile, United's full-backs flourished in a system that encouraged defenders to push higher up the pitch, allowing Diogo Dalot and Tyrell Malacia to get forward with overlapping runs that put Southampton's back line under pressure.
Unlike their mouthwatering attacking display against Liverpool, there was a distinct lack of creativity in the final third against Southampton. Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho struggled to create chances, while Cristiano Ronaldo started the game on the bench. It took a sensational side-footed volley from Bruno Fernandes to separate the two teams at Saint Mary's Stadium, while David De Gea came up with a big save afterward to preserve the lead.
Ten Hag's quest to transform United and implement his own philosophies is still a work in progress, but stringing another win together will presumably offer a confidence boost heading into tricky upcoming tests against Leicester City and Arsenal.
Sterling announces arrival
With all the uncertainty surrounding Chelsea’s defense and the possibility of incoming reinforcements, Raheem Sterling stepped up to lead his new club to victory at Stamford Bridge.
There was no shortage of story lines heading into Saturday’s match against Leicester City, given Chelsea's reported pursuit of Foxes defender Wesley Fofana. But it was Sterling who grabbed the headlines with his best display since joining the Blues earlier this summer.