The Chalkboard: Yan Valery needs to be more tactically aware against Man United

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Southampton picked up an absolutely vital 2-0 win against fellow strugglers Fulham on Wednesday night to move out of the Premier League relegation zone, and they will be aiming to stay there when they face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday – youngster Yan Valery needs to improve if they are to get a result however.

On the chalkboard

At the beginning of the campaign not many people would have expected the young Frenchman to be a first-team regular, but that is exactly what has happened from the end of Mark Hughes’ reign and throughout Ralph Hasenhuttl’s.

The 20-year-old made his 12th top flight start of the campaign against the Cottagers, and largely did well from both a defensive and offensive point of view for his team.

However, he did also show some naivety and a lack of experience – which is of course to be expected – that he can’t afford to do again against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men.

What does he need to improve?

Southampton need as many points as they can get in their battles against the drop, and sensible game-management will be a key part of this in the coming weeks and months.

While the talent’s mindset may be to get forward to help his team when they are attacking, sometimes you have to realise that you can’t do that and simply relax and hold your position.

Against Fulham the right-sided player bombed forward when he didn’t need to as the hosts held a 2-0 advantage, and James Ward-Prowse – who would perhaps be forced to cover for him – had a word on at least one occasion.

Saints didn’t get punished against Fulham but when you are potentially up against the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Marcus Rashford, you almost certainly will do and Valery needs to be focused and make the correct decisions.