Amad Diallo proved the saviour for Manchester United once again as they came from behind to sneak a late win against basement club Southampton.
Having come close on multiple occasions, the away side finally took the lead midway through the first half when United midfielder Manuel Ugarte deflected a Southampton corner beyond Andre Onana in the United goal.
United huffed and puffed but only drew level 10 minutes from time when Diallo fired home from inside the penalty area to set up a grandstand finish.
Diallo, who continues to write his own scripts this season, popped up once again in the 90th minute to steer home Christian Eriksen’s dinked pass and send Old Trafford into raptures.
The 22-year-old completed his hat-trick deep into added time by capitalising on a mistake from Taylor Harwood-Bellis and tapping into an empty net to secure a much-needed three points for the Red Devils.
Andre Onana – 8/10
Let down by his team-mates once again. Pulled off a stunning double save in the first half just before Saints opened the scoring and almost scrambled the Ugarte own-goal off the line.
Noussair Mazraoui – 5/10
Leny Yoro – 4/10
Matthijs de Ligt – 5/10
Lisandro Martinez – 5/10
Amad Diallo – 9/10
Time and time and time again United are bailed out by the 22-year-old. He might’ve been a touch fortunate with the rebound for the equaliser, but the youngster kept his composure and steered home at the second time of asking. That contract extension might just prove the best thing to come out of the season for United.
Manuel Ugarte – 4/10
Torn to shreds by a Southampton midfield who have struggled all season. Spent most of the first half chasing shadows and couldn’t sort his positioning out for the cross that led to Southampton’s opener. Hooked early on in the second half and had a face like thunder as he trundled off the pitch.
Kobbie Mainoo – 4/10
The first casualty from United’s starting XI, as he was taken off at half-time with the visitors 1-0 up. His talent is clear for all to see, but he just doesn’t look suited to how Amorim wants his midfield to play.
Bruno Fernandes – 6/10
The only livewire in the final third for United, who if not for a stunning save from Aaron Ramsdale might’ve found an equaliser 10 minutes from time.
Alejandro Garnacho – 4/10
Served up a contender for miss of the season with the score still at 0-0, having skewed Rasmus Hojlund’s cutback well wide of the far post. Had the chance to show his class against the Premier League’s basement club but failed miserably.
Rasmus Hojlund – 5/10
The fear when Rasmus Hojlund penned his big-money move from Atalanta to United at the start of the 2023/24 season was his lack of experience would see him struggle in the Premier League. A little over 12 months and just 12 league goals later, those fears appear to be materialising.
Subs:
Antony – 6/10
Joshua Zirkzee – 6/10
Toby Collyer – 6/10
Says a lot when a 21-year-old academy product is coming off the bench to show up the multi-million-pound superstars yet again. Not the perfect performance from the youngster, but he was at least trying the right things.
Harry Maguire – N/A
Christian Eriksen – 7/10
Provided a stunning assist for the Diallo winner. Might not have it left in him to be a starter but he’s still got plenty of class.