DAMNED UNITED

Hasenhuttl: It’s not a secret they aren’t good in reverse gear!

SOUTHAMPTON boss Ralph Hasenhuttl piled into Manchester

United last night by claiming Old Trafford’s work-shy superstars lacked the “reverse gears” to be able to keep pace with the Saints.

Che Adams’ equaliser after Jadon Sancho’s opener was more than deserved for Southampton, who repeatedly ran United ragged.

‘It is not a big secret that when they lose the ball the reverse gears are not the best from everybody,’ said Hasenhuttl in a damning verdict of United’s tracking back. ‘Then you have the chance to create something and we did.’

Southampton carved out a number of openings thanks to their high press and work rate which often had United players chasing shadows, with Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes singled out for criticism by Old Trafford legend and BT Sport pundit Paul Scholes.

‘You could feel that the longer the game goes, the more energy we got,’ continued Hasenhuttl, who Scholes went on to say should replace Ralf Rangnick as United boss. ‘The way we responded in the second half was fantastic. We scored immediately after half-time with a beautiful goal and had two or three massive chances. Stewie Armstrong had one, Broja, we definitely had the chances to win today.

‘When we started playing our football I think we dominated the game and that was good to watch. It was a beautiful goal from Che, both strikers worked so hard for the team, always a threat and this is what makes us strong at the moment. We work so hard.’

Southampton, thrashed 9-0 at United on their last visit, went into yesterday’s game having won 3-2 at

Tottenham on Wednesday night, 24 hours after United’s draw with Burnley, with most pundits tipping the visitors to be jaded.

As it turned out, it was United who looked worn out.

‘It’s very hard to play Wednesday evening and Saturday lunchtime,’ added Hasenhuttl. ‘I’m especially proud of the fact we had one day less to recover. You could feel it in the beginning — it was a bit heavylegged. But when we got into our rhythm, start running, playing football, we were a different team.’

The draw was the third game in a row in which United have led 1-0 at half-time only to be pegged back, and Adams said Southampton were aware that Rangnick’s men have a knack of fading. ‘The second half is when they are at their most vulnerable,’ said the Scot.

While Ronaldo and Fernandes drew flak for a lack of graft, Adams and striker partner Armando Broja covered every blade of grass.

Adams added: ‘When we press teams no one seems able to handle us. When everyone’s at it like we were today, we can beat anyone.’

Gary Neville said of Hasenhuttl’s criticism: ‘Imagine being a Manchester United player and having a respected opposition manager say that about you.’