Amad Diallo and Andre Onana put up impressive performances as Manchester United saw off Southampton in Premier League matchday four clash at St Mary’s.
Andre Onana made a stunning save to deny Southampton while Amad Diallo recorded his best performance for Manchester United.
Southampton started the game on the front foot but were vulnerable at the back when Manchester United advanced forward.
It was an uneventful start, though, but the Saints were pulling all the strings to take the lead.
They nearly broke the deadlock in the 7th minute when they caught out the visitors on a counter with Tyler Dibling through on goal after the offensive. However, Andre Onana was equal to the task, making a big save to deny the hosts.
United’s first chance came in the 15th minute when Christian Eriksen laid it on a platter for Joshua Zirkzee but the Dutch’s low shot was excellently pointed away by Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
Andre Onana makes a stunning penalty save to deny Southampton
Southampton had another big chance in the game to take the lead. The Saints won a well-deserved penalty when Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot brought down Tyler Dibling, who had been tormenting the visitors’ backline.
The referee pointed to the spot but it was not ascertained whether Dalot took down Dibling inside or outside the box.
After VAR review, the referee’s decision was affirmed with the penalty given. 22-year-old English forward Cameron Desmond Archer stepped up to take the spot kick. He fired at the bottom left corner of the post, but Onana had perfectly timed it. The Cameroonian stopper dived down to his right and punched the ball away.
A loose Man United defence could not clear the rebound. Onana was forced to make another agile save after Southampton’s Archer headed back the rebound. It was a brilliant effort by the Cameroonian shot-stopper.
Matthijs de Ligt opens Manchester United goal account
A few minutes after Archer missed the spot-kick, Manchester United raced into the lead through an unlikely goal scorer and new signing from Bayern Munich Matthijs de Ligt.
A rickety Southampton defence had failed to clear a corner kick by Christian Eriksen, leaving it for Bruno Fernandes at the far left. Fernandez delivered a curled effort into the box and Matthijs de Ligt brilliantly headed it home into the bottom left corner to make it 1-0.
Aaron Ramsdale with an excellent save for Southampton
Despite conceding from Matthijs de Ligt’s header, Aaron Ramsdale was Southampton’s first-half hero. The England goalkeeper made countless saves to deny United their first goal before de Ligt finally broke the deadlock. Ramsdale’s most notable save came in the 40th minute.
United had fed Amad Diallo with a through-ball after a quick counter. The Ivorien was through on goal, coming one-on-one with Ramsdale. From a tight angle, he fired a thunderous attempt on goal but Ramsdale produced a heroic stop to deny the winger.
Marcus Rashford doubles Manchester United’s lead
A minute after Ramsdale’s heroic save, Manchester United had their way again. Marcus Rashford was left unmarked at the edge of the box. With enough time and space, the England forward curled a low shot into the bottom right-corner to make it 2-0.
It was a no-show for Southampton in the second half. Manchester United dominated proceedings from the start to finish.
Aaron Ramsdale was forced to make more saves to keep the scoreline respectable but it subsequently got worse for the home side late into the game.
Their defender Jack Stephen was red carded after he launched a diving challenge at Alejandro Garnacho.
United exploited the gap to extend the lead in stoppage time with Garnacho firing Diogo Dalot’s cross into the roof of the net.
Amad Diallo’s with a five-star performance for Manchester United
Amad Diallo stole the spotlights in Manchester United’s victory over Southampton.
Despite not finding the back of the net or delivering an assist, the Ivorien’s creative play and brilliant display proved crucial in United’s victory.
He regularly tormented the hosts’ defence and came close to registering his name on the score sheet but was denied by Aaron Ramsdale.
Diallo created the most chances in the game. In the first half alone, he created four big chances and two in the second half.
The impressive showing by the 22-year-old attracted rave reviews by Manchester United fans.
A fan wrote, “Amad is arguably the best footballer at the club “
Another wrote, “Amad has been Manchester United’s best player this season. When he gets the ball, he makes things happen, great decision-making.”
Another user, Liam Canning said, “Amad is so unbelievably good at keeping the ball. So technically secure. He’s locked down that RW position. Big season coming for him.”
Ross Edmonds wrote, “Amad Diallo having yet another great game. What a player”.
Amad Diallo: from pariah to key player for Manchester United
Amad Diallo had a bleak campaign with Manchester United in the 2023-24 season. He struggled for game time and was loaned to Sunderland as competition for places in the squad thickens.
At a point, the Ivorien was linked to a move away from the club as his misfortunes show no sign of abating under Erik ten Hag.
He made only nine Premier League appearances for Manchester United last season, scoring one goal.
This season, it appears the tides have turned for good for the footballer. He has played all four Manchester United games this season and is set to be a key part of Erik ten Hag’s squad this season.
Erik ten Hag with huge relief after Southampton win
Manchester United’s win over Southampton is a big relief for Erik ten Hag. The Dutchman had gotten into the game on the back of two consecutive defeats against Brighton and Liverpool.
They will host Barnsley in their EFL Cup opener on Tuesday, September 17, before taking on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in the Premier League on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
Southampton have lost all their four Premier League matches this season
Following the 3-0 defeat to Manchester United, Southampton are still searching for their first Premier League win this season.
They lost their first two matches by a lone goal to Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest. On Saturday, August 31, 2024, they recorded their third defeat to Brentford, losing 3-1 away.
Pressure is already piling up on the head coach Russell Martins. The English gaffer will hope to pick up their first victory when they take on Ipswich Town in the next fixture on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
