Ruben Amorim was left unimpressed by the efforts of four of his Manchester United side on Thursday night, as his team scrambled to a 3-1 win in the final 10 minutes of their clash with Southampton.
With just one win and six points from their 20 games thus far entering Thursday's game, Southampton could have scarcely believed the amount of space afforded to them on the Old Trafford pitch.
United came into their first home game of 2025 off the back of an impressive draw at Anfield and a memorable FA Cup win over Arsenal. None of the energy that defined those two performances was visible in the first half against the Saints.
Predictably, Southampton took the lead just before half-time with their first goal of the season from a corner - courtesy of a Manuel Ugarte own-goal.
It took until deep into the second period before the hosts finally began to open up Ivan Juric's side, with Amad Diallo again proving the hero with a sensational 12-minute hat-trick at the death.
The late flurry of goals saved United from fresh embarrassment on home soil against a team mathematically on course to amass the fewest points in Premier League history.
Head coach Ruben Amorim did not hide his feelings post-match, identifying four players whose poor showings exemplified the problems with the United setup.
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Ruben Amorim unimpressed by Manchester United quartet in win v Southampton
Ruben Amorim said he would learn more about his Manchester United side from Thursday's game against lowly Southampton than he did from either of the big match-ups against Liverpool and Arsenal.
He may have been disappointed by what he learned, with the first half bringing one of the most lifeless displays the Old Trafford crowd have seen from their team in some time (and that's saying something).
Kobbie Mainoo was hooked at half-time, with his midfield partner Manuel Ugarte taken off shortly afterwards. Leny Yoro would last longer but was ultimately replaced by Harry Maguire after enduring a torrid runaround at the hands of Kamaldeen Sulemana.
In his post-match interview, Amorim said that his side had lacked "enthusiasm" and singled out the subbed trio plus captain Bruno Fernandes for difficult moments during the game.
"It’s not just tiredness but playing in this stadium, we lost the last three games here," Amorim told TNT Sports post-match, "The pressure is different because we try to press the opponent in the build-up and you can feel the difficulties.
It seems a lack of enthusiasm. Ugarte is late. Mainoo is late. Bruno going outside when the ball is inside. In one transition, Leny cannot press the guy.
These small things push the team behind and we get nervous without the ball. When you have one opportunity you feel the team can control the game better. I want to be fair to my players. It was a lack of speed and a lack of control in the game.
Despite his frustrations, Amorim will be thankful that United have finally gotten three points on the board in the Premier League. Thursday was their first league win since December's Manchester derby, and their first win at Old Trafford since December 1st against Everton.
He will hope that the aforementioned quartet - and the team as a whole - learn from Thursday's lacklustre showing with haste, with a quick turnaround to Sunday's visit from Brighton and Hove Albion.