MANCHESTER UNITED scraped past Southampton to earn all three points in what was a gruelling contest at St. Mary’s.
Bruno Fernandes’ expertly taken volley rounded off a superb team goal from Erik Ten Hag’s side.
And not only the Red Devils pick up the win, but that was United’s first consecutive victory since February.
- RESULT: Southampton 0-1 Man Utd
- TV channel: BT Sport 1
- Live stream: BT.com
- Southampton XI: Bazunu; Walker-Peters, Bella Kotchap, Salisu, Djenepo; Ward-Prowse, Lavia; Aribo, Elyounoussi, Armstrong; Adams
- Man Utd XI: De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Malacia; McTominay, Eriksen; Sancho, Fernandes, Elanga; Rashford
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That’s all from St Mary’s
It wasn’t pretty, but Manchester United have kept up with the winning formula they found on Monday night – and have now brought an end to their losing run on the road.
But hat’s not the end of the Premier League action for today with five games having just kicked-off in the top-flight.
And you can follow all the action with our array of live blogs from around the grounds.
Thanks for joining us, and goodbye.
Ten Hag: We learned lessons
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag insisted that he and his side had learnt from their last away game at Brentford, when they were smashed out of sight in the first half.
However, the Dutchman warned that there is still work to do, and he had plenty concerns in the final third of the match when his team came under increasing pressure from Southampton.
They learned some lessons from Brentford, quite clearly. We were more compact on their long balls so that was good. We are really happy with this result, and with the goal we made, and we created two or three more. Still, we’d hope to keep more control in the last 30 minutes of the game.
Erik ten Hag
McTominay ‘close proximity’ handballs discussed
Southampton are feeling hard done by after Manchester United’s Scott McTominay appeared to handle the ball inside the penalty area on three occasions in quick succession in the second half.
However, former Premier League referee Peter Walton has explained why the video official Peter Bankes decided against overturning Andy Madley’s on-field decision in not awarding a spotkick.
The ball did strike the hand on more than one occasion, but the defence in law is the close proximity of McTominay to the ball itself. He had no chance to avoid that contact, it wasn’t deliberate because the ball goes towards the arm, and then maybe that’s a natural position of a player setting themselves there too.
Peter Walton
Martinez rises to the occasion
Little Lisandro Martinez was hung out to dry after Manchester United’s last away game, the 4-0 thumping at Brentford.
However, the Argentine stood up this afternoon and put in a warrior-like performance on the south coast to pick up BT Sport’s Man of the Match award.
Fernandes: We’re prepared to suffer
Match-winner Bruno Fernandes again reiterated that this Manchester United team are prepared to suffer in order to earn important results. The Red Devils captain for the day spoke at the final whistle about the required work ethic at Old Trafford.
We know that sometimes we have to suffer. This is the Premier League, every game is tough. Well done to us, it’s a massive three points for us and now we have to carry on. One win doesn’t make the league, two wins doesn’t make the league. We have to carry on this spirit and sacrifice, this is what this club demands.
Bruno Fernandes
Match stats from St Mary’s
It’s been a closely-fought contest on the south coast, one settled by Bruno Fernandes’ strike.
Manchester United edged the possession, and clocked up 400 passes, but only registered 11 attempts at goal compared to Southampton’s 17.
Full time – Southampton 0-1 Man Utd
It’s all over! Manchester United bring their losing away streak to an end with a win at Southampton.
The only goal of the game was scored in the second half by United’s captain for the day, Bruno Fernandes, and momentarily moves the Red Devils up to sixth place.
It’s also United’s first clean sheet on the road in the Premier League since December.
Southampton 0-1 Man Utd – Fred yellow card
90+6. Another tactical foul to stop a Southampton attack, this time on Stuart Armstrong by Fred.
It brings a yellow card for the Brazilian, but it’s likely to mean that the three points return to Old Trafford too
Southampton 0-1 Man Utd
90+5. Now Mara goes close!
The young French forward cushions a side-footed volley – similar to how Bruno Fernandes scored – towards the far post, but it drops a yard wide on the wrong side.
Saints are throwing everything at United.
Southampton 0-1 Man Utd
90+4. Lyanco with the overhead kick! Blocked on the line by Dalot!
The substitute almost brings Southampton level in spectacular fashion, only for the Portuguese defender to deny him.
Incredible technique from a player who is normally a centre-back but has been thrown on up front by his manager.
Southampton 0-1 Man Utd – Man Utd substitution
90+1. Erik ten Hag throws on a bit more defensive cover for stoppage time with the arrival of Fred.
The Brazilian takes over from Christian Eriksen.
Southampton 0-1 Man Utd
90. There was no time added on at the end of the first half, but we’re going to have an extra six minutes here – and it’s the least it should be in all honesty.
Southampton 0-1 Man Utd
89. The great news is McTominay is back on his feet, and remarkably looks as though he will continue.
It’s a huge relief for all concerned because there was an immediate fear from those around the midfielder.
Southampton 0-1 Man Utd – Southampton substitutions
88. While McTominay receives treatment on the pitch, Southampton make two more switches.
Romain Perraud and Lyanco are on, off go Moussa Djenepo and Joe Aribo.
Southampton 0-1 Man Utd
87. Concern for Manchester United and Scott McTominay.
Wrestling in midfield with Romeo Lavia, the United man appears to get his studs caught in the frankly awful turf, resulting in him twisting his knee.
McTominay immediately hits the deck, and writhes around in agony.
On first viewing, it looked a bad one.
Southampton 0-1 Man Utd
85. Bella-Kotchap! Over!
The German almost seals a first class display with a brilliant equaliser.
He skips beyond a defender on the right of the penalty area with ease before driving home from the angle.
He did everything right until the finish.
Southampton 0-1 Man Utd – McTominay yellow card
83. Four games into the season, and Scott McTominay picks up his third yellow card.
The Scotland international is booked for a cynical foul in midfield – or ‘tactical’ as they call it these days.
Southampton 0-1 Man Utd
82. And United almost do exactly that.
Cristiano Ronaldo bursts through on the right and looks to be in, but no longer has the legs to outpace the defender.
In this instance, it’s Mohammed Salisu.
Southampton 0-1 Man Utd
81. Inside the final ten minutes now, and the pattern of play looks as though it’s going to be Southampton pushing for an equaliser with United looking to punish them on the break.
Southampton 0-1 Man Utd – Man Utd substitution
80. Here comes Casemiro!
The Brazilian ace will play the final ten minutes, having replaced Anthony Elanga.
Southampton 0-1 Man Utd
79. A long throw launched into the Manchester United penalty area is headed clear by McTominay.
The often-maligned midfielder has certainly put a fine defensive shift in today.
Southampton 0-1 Man Utd
78. We’re finally back underway after a good three or four minutes of inaction.
However, it looks as though there will be another stoppage shortly in order to allow for the introduction of Casemiro to English football.
Southampton 0-1 Man Utd – Southampton substitution
77. A second Southampton change brings young striker Sekou Mara to the party.
The former Bordeaux star comes on for Adam Armstrong.
Southampton 0-1 Man Utd
76. Adams is back up, but now Ronaldo is down and receiving treatment for what looks like a knee or hamstring issue.
Southampton 0-1 Man Utd
74. The home fans are furious again as two of their players lie injured on the diseased pitch.
Che Adams is grimacing after finding himself on the receiving end of a crunching Lisandro Martinez, while Stuart Armstrong is even more discomfort inside the United penalty area.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
