Ronald Koeman Pleased With Southampton’s Attacking Options After Austin Capture

“It happens to every player who signs for a big club, sometimes you need time to adapt and it was the same for me”.

“Southampton are starting to play again, they’ve strung together back to back wins impressively”.

We played very good.

And Koeman believes the 26-year-old – called up by England last year without winning a first cap – can follow two new team-mates in gaining global recognition relatively late in his career.

Austin had no such trouble finding the net.

The former QPR and Burnley man then drew a foul from United replacement Adnan Januzaj and planted home a header from the resulting 87th-minute free-kick.

Southampton boss Ronald Koeman says Manchester United have lost their fear factor.

Koeman mentioned United’s set-piece frailties to Austin before the striker entered the fray and headed home James Ward-Prowse’s right-wing delivery.

Last weekend’s win over Liverpool was massive for Manchester United and for Louis Van Gaal.

The Southampton goalkeeper had been a virtual spectator as United’s promising start faded away, along with their seemingly fragile confidence.

Connor: 1-1 “1-1! Saints to go behind and level the scores after a goalless first half”.

This fixture last season was one of our worst performances under Louis van Gaal, when he foolishly tried to deploy Angel Di Maria up front.

Mata’s reputation in world football grew rapidly due to his ability to carve out moments of creativity and inventiveness but he has not produced an assist for Manchester United in the Premier League since late September which, for a man of his calibre, is a worrying return.

That let-off did not quell discontent in the stands – the now familiar lament of “attack, attack, attack” ringing out – and Jesse Lingard’s deflected stoppage-time effort spinning wide could not prevent half-time jeers.

They have won only one of their last seven on the road and were fortunate to escape Upton Park with a point after the hosts twice led through Enner Valencia. Little goes to the script in this Premier League season.

Koeman also reiterated his stance that Austin’s arrival does not signal the departure of one of Pelle, Shane Long or Sadio Mane, who have been linked with moves away this month.