Saints put in a battling performance, perhaps their best of the season, but ultimately it turned out to be not enough and as usual VAR did them no favours, however it shows that we can look forward with confidence.

This was a close fought game with more plus points than minus, however the one stat that really mattered was the scoreline and sadly that was a 1-0 defeat.

Ralph Hasenhuttl opted for only one change from the side that started at Leicester City and that was pretty predictable given that it was Che Adams who came in.

The main talking point from the game though was the handball incident when McTominay handled not once but twice, the first one was nailed on, but for the second week running we were denied a blatant penalty.

This proved to be costly when United scored in the 55th minute, a well worked goal that left Gavin Bazunu with no chance.

There had been chances for both sides, not least a goal mouth scramble in the first half where not only did Gavin Bazunu do well to block, but also a couple of other Saints defenders to keep the scores level.

Saints chances were not so blatant, but they still had some good efforts, not least when De Gea had to make a smart save to keep out a Joe Aribo header after some great work down the left.

Indeed most of Saints work came from that side with Djenepo having a fine game both in defence and going forward, likewise Adam Armstrong whose speed and guile was at the heart of a lot of Saints attacking play.

At the back Mohammed Salisu & Armel Bella-Kotchap were big and strong when needed.

Although I am a big fan of Ralph, I have to say I was a bit puzzled by some of his substitutions, Elyounousi comming off for Stuart Armstrong was an obvious choice and did strengthen the side, but taking off Adam Armstrong on 77 minutes seemed to lessen our attacking flair on the left, far better choice would have been to take of Joe Aribo who was not making so much of an impact as in the last two games.

Secondly why Romain Perraud was brought on for Djenepo in the 89th minute was strange, if we had been 1-0 up I could have understood it, but with a long period of injury time looming bringing on a defender meant we lost the attacking flair of Djenepo, the left side which was our main attacking strength up till the departure of Adam Armstrong was effectively nil just when we needed it most in injury time chasing an equaliser.

But despite the defeat there was much to be pleased about, yes we know we need a striker, but we are getting better defensively and again it showed we have made some good signings in the summer.

Always a disappointment to lose to Manchester United, but sometimes the bigger picture has to be looked at and i think we now seem to have a squad that is committed to the manager and packed with young talent.

It shows how far we have come in the past two years when it was the norm for the bench to include at least a couple of youngsters making up the numbers, now our bench is full of experience and that was not including the likes of Romeu, Walcott, Redmond & Stephens who all look likely to leave the club in the next few days.

Photo: Action Images

AmericanSaint added 20:01 - Aug 28 That was a tough one and we battled well. I have reviewed the hand ball incident multiple times and not sure how VAR didnt over rule it as his left hand was above the waist, closer to shoulder level and with his back to the ball he was trying to make himself as big as possible to block the incoming pass. This again shows the bs that favors the bigger sides. I also agree that I do not understand RH subs as I though AA was doing great down the left. I think the Lyanco sub was trying to get more height into the box. Parraud for Djenepo might have been to try and get more crosses into the box from farther out, which Moussa doesnt do. So, we just have to pull up the socks and get ready for Chelsea. PS - Now Bournemouth can feel the pain and at least in our 9-0 losses we were down a man.

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AmericanSaint added 20:02 - Aug 28 Oh forgot to add one note - When we went down, I actually wasnt too troubled and thought we could get one back as there was plenty of time on the clock and our guys have shown real fight being one down in previous matches.
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felly1 added 21:14 - Aug 28 Spot on report and agree completely about Ralph taking off Armstrong and Djenepo who were a real threat all game game and he should have subbed Aribo who looked a little one paced and ineffective yesterday. For all the talent and promise our new young players are showing I would expect some real dips in form and crucial mistakes will be made. We really need to sign a quality striker and possibly a decent CB if Bedders and Stephens depart.

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WestSussexSaint added 21:41 - Aug 28 It was a good team performance by Saints and an equally poor performance by the officials. Yes it should have been a penalty but I question whether McTominay should have even been on the pitch at that point given his repeated dragging back of our players when they threatened to break. If one was worthy of yellow card then they all were. ABK was immense in defence and Salisu looked like he was getting some of his mojo back. Djenepo for all the positives in recent performances is not a natural LB and so I think it was the right call to bring Peraud on as it gave the team a better balance. The only issue was it was a bit too late. Encouraging signs though and again a battling performance that puts to bed the Daily Mail claims of dressing room unrest. Perhaps they should come clean on their source if there even is one!

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deanosfc8 added 21:47 - Aug 28 Of course disappointed to lose but very optimistic with this team. These new players will only get stronger as they adapt to the PL. Ralph did hint about a new striker but I got to say Mara looks a talent! Bring on Chelsea!!
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DellBoyWally added 22:27 - Aug 28 As a LB I was worried by Djenepo's positioning in the first half, tracking inside forward runs into the box leaving the MU right winger open. It happened for the goal, the winger having so much space and time to measure the cross. But fair play to Moussa, he has done a more than good job for a winger by trade. AdamA had a decent game down the left side and laid a goal on a plate for CheA. A top striker would, by instinct, have buried that in a corner. On Ralph's subs. Lyanco on as a striker. By bringing on Perraud for Moussa he strengthened the back line meaning the midfield could all press up onto the MU defence with the hope of overpowering it. Sadly not to be. Definite penalty!!! If you watch closely McTominay actually flicks the ball away with his right hand after his musical hall juggler impression. Over the next few weeks we are definitely going to concede a penalty where the ball brushes a Saints' players hairs on his arm, arms tight to his side. Probably called "arms in an unatural" position; who runs with their arms tight to their side??!! As for the rest, not much criticism can be levelled. ABK takes no prisoners, a star in the making and seems to be raising Sali's game - confidence oozes. Pity it wasn't a striker for the KWP header with the goal gaping. Saints were the better team and certainly deserved more.

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DellBoyWally added 22:33 - Aug 28 Oh yeah, according to Sky Sports reporter Tim Thornton, he has heard that Leeds are unlikely to sign Che Adams before Thursday!!! I wonder how much he gets (over)paid for such amazing and incredible in depth investigative reporting?!?! "DellBoyWally, seen in a bar in Southampton on Saturday, is unlikely to be making the move to Saints. I have it on good authority from a club source that he was just thirsty"

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AmericanSaint added 22:58 - Aug 28 And you know its a penalty when Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes say it should have been called a hand ball. Hahahaha - The league needs to fix only having one ref on the VAR call. Oh well onto the next.
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landsdownsaint added 23:12 - Aug 28 I thought we were great this is a exciting squad , poor old Moussa once again had a great game but he doesn’t seem too have the confidence of the people on here , I think he’s every bit a premier league standard player . I seen Mara do a couple of things now that tells me we got a very talented lad .Theirs gonna be ups n downs again but I’m liking what I’m seeing

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Farlow added 09:02 - Aug 29 ABK is our next superstar,although Lavia looks very promising JWP is nowhere near as good without Romeu.I thought Mctominay was auditioning for the juglers job at Billy Smarts Circus.Its a shame no one operated a little closer to Che who was creating a lot of problems around their box.
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TeamCortese added 09:04 - Aug 29 Decent performance from the lads and unlucky with VAR. What puzzles me is why there hasn't been a definitive explanation as to why the handball wasn't overturned. Surely at this stage the referee can provide a real-time explanation for the decision? Otherwise what are being paid for? We're also lacking a clinical edge up top too. A striker is definitely needed coupled with a creative midfielder. Moi was very anonymous for much of the match and Aribo to a lesser degree. While it's still early days and he's adapting to the club and league I hope the backroom staff gives Aribo a kick up the backside. He's a real talent but isn't influencing matches enough. Hopefully, it's just a fitness issue and he'll get better with more game time. Chelsea next. Goodness me our opening fixtures have been horrendous!

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JoeEgg added 09:17 - Aug 29 It was never going to be easy forecasting the outcome of Saturday's match with United. Unted arrived on the back of a terrible run of away results. True they played well against Liverpool but the opportunity was there for Saints to extend Unted's poor away record. There were many promising performances by Saints players but restoring Adams is one thing - leaving him with precious little support for much of the match is another. I do not share Ralph's fascination with Elyanoussi and was sad to see a much improved Adam Armstrong removed. As Nick and others have said there was much to be encouraged by with several youngsters looking fine prospects. Dare we hope for one or two more additions before the transfer deadline? It could make a big difference. However for me the problem is still the manager. The fans are great and the players demonstrating great team spirit. I stick to my guns - its's still the manager with his inconsistent tactics and substitutions that worries me the most. We have every reason to be excited by the arrival of some really talented youngsters. The question for me remains - isRalph the guy to get the best out of them?

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davidargyll added 09:27 - Aug 29 Agree with virtually all points but thought the substitutions were all fine, and Perraud being brought or a few minutes to give him a bit of game time seemed OK to me. Once again all “our kids” were wonderful, and made for such an entertaining game, and all we lacked was the killer punch up front. Adam Armstrong has been a revelation so far this season, such a joy to see someone spurting forward and drawing players. Che looked to me a shade over-confident after his wonders during the week, as nothing came off for him. Moussa again is a completely changed player from last season; and whatever he’s on, can I have some? And our back 4 goes from strength to strength; goodness knows how they kept out those three or four shots in quick succession but they really showed a lot of class in doing so. The only player who looked a tad off the pace was Mo E; maybe showing his age, all 28 years of it? Or at least compared to the youngsters? So I would imagine if we do get Ainsley M-N, he will be bench-bound. And re Man U. What a dirty load of f*****s. Pulling players back all the time with impunity, falling over at the slightest push, whilst shoving and tripping ours like you’ve never known. And as for Renaldo. What an absolute tosser: demonstrably taking off his shirt before he went on just to show off his pecs, running around like a headless chicken and then being really given the run around by ABK; how are the mighty fallen…brilliant!

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highfield49 added 09:37 - Aug 29 There were a few managers, in their post match reviews, bemoaning the lack of a striker costing them points in close games. If we can pull off that elusive signing over the next few days the impact will be potentially massive, the one area of significant weakness. In fairness, Utd didn't look to have much threat going forward either and it took a genuinely quality strike to win the game. Considering the disparity in transfer and wage investment between the clubs we ran out winners by a mile. Regarding the substitutions, perhaps we should admit that if we'd got a late equaliser RH would be exonerated and we'd all be happy, such are the fine margins of fate. And, lastly, thank you Nick for not urging the club to invest in a slow turning, one paced, has been of a centre half this week. Utd have got one of those sitting on their bench and I don't think he'd have done anything for their performance other than cost them the points. We have genuine quality in the raw developing in defence and would gain nothing by playing them alongside a clapped out mentor inhibiting their progress.

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Block8 added 10:25 - Aug 29 All I will say today is that we all know we will have a pen given against us for a similar incident this season!
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Colburn added 10:52 - Aug 29 Another display of bottleless Hasenhuttl. Brentford started with their strongest line up and really went at Utd. This is the worst Utd I've seen since early 80's and we should have shown the level of intensity that the likes of Brighton, Leeds and in fact everyone else in the league against a lost, untogether club, squad and team in Manchester United. One man up front trying to flick long balls on to a non existent second striker or towards the right corner flag for the ineffective Aribo. I like him but wasn't his best game and I totally agree with this articles summing up of the brainless Ralph substitutions.. There is nothing wrong with our players but we have a manager devoid of the courage and bottle to succeed in this league and in the case of our attackers, develop them properly. He's holding us back yet again and the excuses or summaries from Ralph are pathetic. He just missed his last chance to best Utd as Saints manager. Groundhog day... Same weakness of mind. New manager ASAP please. He had his chance this season to show he had removed the negativity and fear from his management and its obvious its still there. Get rid ASAP.

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Colburn added 11:03 - Aug 29 Also now we can see truly why VAR was brought in.. So they could avoid giving decesions on the pitch and depending which end of the pitch it is, reverse or keep the on field decision. Wouldn't be surprised if Sky are involved.. They stink.. Wouldn't be surprised if I heard that they are paying the wages for the VAR cheats. Its about time the game woke up to what VAR is about. It's changed nothing in terms of mistakes or opinions yet gives a clear avenue and opening for corruption. Which is in my opinion what is occurring. Unbridled corruption in the English game.

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SanMarco added 16:09 - Aug 29 There's not a VAR conspiracy - it is just subjective judgement with a few (and seemingly always changing) criteria thrown in .In previous seasons that has been a pen, so why not this time? The reaction to this game from fans has been pretty 'glass half full' for the reasons mentioned in Nick's report and the vast majority of comments above. I go along with this, I was pretty pleased, but with one slight rider: I thought Manure were pretty poor - I have not seen a game in ages where 0-2 looked less likely. Yes, that was largely/partly down to our good play but we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves, it was a defeat against a pretty average team. Chelsea will be a lot better.

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SanMarco added 16:11 - Aug 29 0-2 looked less likely after we went 0-1 I meant...
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onetowatch added 12:20 - Aug 30 Colburn has had a negative response to his first comment, but he has a point....I couldn't believe that a UTD side would start wasting time - which the referee was ineffective in dealing with - from the moment they went in front. Any previous UTD team would have gone after a second goal, but not this team. Why AA was taken off is a mystery....again!! Most of the comments above can't be argued with. A great effort from all involved, an encouraging attitude throughout. But I was disappointed we didn't create more serious chances after going 1 down. many are pointing fingers at the striker/s particularly Che, but it's our lack of creativity in midfield that really worries me.If someone like Redmond put in a performance like JWP did, them he'd be getting slaughtered on here. His default position is always to look back. Far too often slowing a counter attack down. Plus , on Saturday, even hos deadballl kicks were way off their normal standard, but it seems to most on here, he can do no wrong. I would rather OR played tonight....

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HythePeer added 16:54 - Aug 30
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