Manchester United’s league campaign has life again as Matthijs de Ligt, Marcus Rashford, and Alejandro Garnacho saw them to a 3-0 win away to Southampton

It wasn’t without its hiccups, as Manchester United had to weather an early storm from the Saints, but they showed bite and resilience to come through it and take control.

Erik Ten Hag‘s tactical calls paid dividends, with the shock inclusion of Christian Eriksen immediately improving United’s set-piece delivery, and subs seeing out the game comfortably.

However, it is the one player who wasn’t on the scoresheet who impressed the most and in the process, might have cemented himself as the new untouchable.

Manchester United’s league campaign has life again as Matthijs de Ligt, Marcus Rashford, and Alejandro Garnacho saw them to a 3-0 win away to Southampton.

It wasn’t without its hiccups, as Manchester United had to weather an early storm from the Saints, but they showed bite and resilience to come through it and take control.

Erik Ten Hag‘s tactical calls paid dividends, with the shock inclusion of Christian Eriksen immediately improving United’s set-piece delivery, and subs seeing out the game comfortably.

However, it is the one player who wasn’t on the scoresheet who impressed the most and in the process, might have cemented himself as the new untouchable.

Amad’s historic display
Much was made of Amad being dropped vs Liverpool in favour of Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford, which was clearer when he came off the bench to make a positive difference.

However, that selection call also cemented one thing- despite his blistering form, he was the first one out of the team while Garnacho and Rashford were first-choice players.

That changed due to circumstances vs Southampton, but will remain unchanged now because of Amad’s own display

Garnacho was on the bench here after returning from a long trip back from his Argentina commitments.

Therefore, Amad was deemed better equipped to start and he took the opportunity with both hands and then some.

In a side that often looks a bit helter-skelter and panicked in possession, Amad’s understanding of when to release the ball, when to carry it, and who to pass it to and his off-the-ball runs are a breath of fresh air.

Against Southampton, he was almost the go-to man for his teammates as they repeatedly looked for him in possession.

From there, he would weave his magic, either taking his man on and scrambling their defensive shape, or bringing others into play with dangerous layoffs.

He created history by fashioning six chances for his teammates, the youngest United player to do so since Anthony Martial all the way back in February 2016.

Considering how youth-centric United have always been, especially during the era of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s thrilling attacking football, that is a remarkable achievement.

The need to keep going
It is perhaps ironic that after United spent millions to fix their right-wing problem, Amad, a random signing on a panicky deadline day has looked like he’ll be the solution.

The Ivorian showed glimpses of potential in the United kit, then turned into a superstar at Sunderland, but there were always questions over his suitability to be a regular starter at Old Trafford.

After ending the last season on a high, this was always going to be make or break for Amad, and it has been a bonafide breakthrough so far.

The next challenge will soon come to him, as he will no longer be the unknown quantity enjoying his breakthrough.

If he keeps up this level of threat, the opposition will soon start planning around him to minimise his influence, and that is when he will need to unlock the next level to his game.

For now, he should revel in his untouchable status in the squad. It has taken a long time to come but has arrived in style, clear as day.