Southampton 0-3 Manchester United. Matthijs de Ligt marked his debut goal for Manchester United as they secured a vital Premier League victory against Southampton. The win was a significant turnaround for Erik ten Hag’s team, who had struggled with back-to-back defeats prior to the international break.
Manchester United’s morale was low after a heavy defeat to Liverpool before the break, making their performance against Southampton crucial. Despite a challenging start, a pivotal moment came when Manchester United’s goalkeeper, Andre Onana, saved a penalty from Cameron Archer. This save proved to be a game-changer, setting the stage for the Red Devils to take control.
De Ligt scored the opening goal with a precise header into the bottom corner, courtesy of a superb delivery from Bruno Fernandes. Just six minutes later, Marcus Rashford extended the lead with his first goal of the season, guiding a low shot through a crowded area into the net.
The quick succession of goals dampened Southampton’s spirits, and Manchester United managed the game comfortably in the second half. Southampton’s troubles were compounded late in the match when Jack Stephens received a red card for a reckless tackle on Alejandro Garnacho. Garnacho then sealed the win for Manchester United with a powerful finish into the top corner during stoppage time.
Manchester United’s triumph offered a welcome relief following the disappointment of their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City, quickly overshadowed by their 3-0 loss to Liverpool. The defeat had put manager Erik ten Hag under scrutiny.
Casemiro, who had a tough outing against Liverpool, was left on the bench for this game, and it seemed initially that the international break had not provided the hoped-for reset. The team struggled for the first half hour but turned the tide following Onana’s penalty save.
Southampton, despite their promising start and slick play, were unable to capitalize on their chances. Diogo Dalot’s foul on Tyler Dibling led to the penalty missed by Archer, which allowed Manchester United to seize control.
Though the win provided Manchester United with a clean sheet and three valuable points, there is still work needed to resolve ongoing issues. For Southampton, the defeat continues their winless start to the season, leaving them yet to secure their first points. Manager Russell Martin remains committed to the attractive football that earned them promotion from the Championship, but the failure to finish opportunities has proven costly.
A bright spot for Southampton was the performance of 18-year-old Tyler Dibling, who made his debut and was a constant threat to Manchester United’s defense in the first half.
