Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt. The Dutch center-back singled out just three players who he felt had a standout performance, while also apologizing for his own lackluster display.
Manchester United’s 3-1 victory over Southampton highlighted contrasting emotions within the team. While the result was celebrated, the performance drew criticism from key figures, including defender Matthijs de Ligt, who expressed mixed feelings about the match. De Ligt acknowledged the win but pointed out that only three players truly excelled. Among them, he reserved special praise for Amad Diallo, whose remarkable hat-trick in the final 12 minutes was the defining moment of the game. De Ligt described the young forward as the standout player, attributing the victory largely to his individual brilliance.
Amad Diallo delivered an extraordinary display, cementing his place in the record books. At 22 years and 189 days old, he became the second-youngest player to score a Premier League hat-trick for Manchester United, trailing only Wayne Rooney. His three goals also marked the club’s first league hat-trick since Cristiano Ronaldo achieved the feat in April 2022. Diallo’s contribution began with an equalizer and was quickly followed by two additional strikes, showcasing his composure and sharp finishing under pressure.
Despite the celebratory tone surrounding Diallo’s performance, De Ligt did not hesitate to critique himself and the team. He admitted his own performance was below par and highlighted the squad’s collective shortcomings. This candid self-assessment reflected his leadership and desire for continuous improvement. Manager Ruben Amorim also weighed in, echoing De Ligt’s concerns and cautioning against overhyping young talents like Diallo. He emphasized the importance of managing expectations while pointing out areas where the team struggled, including tactical execution and consistency.
While Diallo’s brilliance provided a glimmer of hope, the overall display raised questions about Manchester United’s cohesion and ability to perform consistently. The team now faces critical fixtures that will test their ability to build on this win and address the concerns voiced by both players and management. Though the victory was a step forward, the spotlight remains on whether the squad can turn moments of individual brilliance into sustained collective success.
