MATTHIJS DE LIGT and Marcus Rashford grabbed the first-half goals to postpone the next Erik ten Hag crisis for at least another week.
But Manchester United were let off the hook by a Southampton side who outplayed them in the opening half an hour and failed to convert a penalty.
It would have been fascinating to see how United responded to that kind of setback.
In the end, though, Ten Hag’s side ran out comfortable enough winners and he avoided becoming the first United boss to lose three Premier League games in a row since 2015.
The Saints never recovered from somehow finding themselves two down at the break after striker Cameron Archer let them down at both ends.
First the £15m summer signing hit his spotkick far too close to United goalkeeper Andre Onana after Diogo Dalot brought down teenage winger Tyler Dibling.
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De Ligt headed United into the lead a few minutes later and then Archer was guilty of failing to close down Rashford, who curled a fine shot in off the far post to make it two.
The Saints’ misery was complete when captain Jack Stephens was shown a straight red card – somewhat harshly – for a cynical lunge on United substitute Alejandro Garnacho, who made it three in stoppage-time from Dalot’s cross.
It was a bitter end to a game that had started so well for the home team.
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Dibling, 18, one of four home players making their first Premier League start for the club, skinned Dalot as early as the seventh minute and forced a save out of Onana.
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Joshua Zirkzee had a great chance at the other end when Eriksen touched the ball into his path but the Dutchman’s shot on the stretch from inside the six-yard box was not good enough to beat Aaron Ramsdale.
In the 17th minute, Kyle Walker-Peters made De Ligt look like a novice but failed to find the right pass from the byline. United broke down the other end and Bruno Fernandes shot well wide.
Southampton looked much the better team.
Dalot’s torment continued when Mateus Fernandes cut inside him and fired in a cross-shot that De Ligt cut out.
And when the United full back fouled Dibling, Lesley Ugochukwu sent a free header over the bar from Yuki Sugawara’s free kick.
But Dalot’s luck seemed to have run out when he was once more beaten by Dibling and brought him down in the box.
Ben Brereton Diaz has a good record from the penalty spot yet the Saints forward handed the ball to Archer.
The young striker’s spotkick was far too close to Onana who saved to his right and had plenty of time to stand up and save Archer’s headed follow-up.
Punishment was not long coming. Ramsdale saved a deflected shot by Zirkzee but his defence was sleeping from the resulting corner.
It was played short to Fernandes and De Ligt headed the fine cross out of reach of Ramsdale’s right arm.
A minutes later, Southampton were guilty of the same kind of failure.
Ramsdale made a good save from Rashford after another United break. This time the corner was overhit, but in the second pahse poor Archer failed to close down Rashford quick enough and his well-placed shot went in off the far post.
United started the second half on the front foot. Full back Noussair Mazraoui hit the outside of the post and Rashford had a shot blocked by Jan Bednarek.
Man Utd ratings vs Southampton as Onana saves a penalty and Rashford finally scores
MARCUS RASHFORD scored his first Premier League goal in 189 days as Manchester United cruised to a 3-0 victory at Southampton.
The Red Devils got back to winning ways after suffering defeats in their last two Prem games, with Matthijs de Ligt notching his first Man Utd goal.
But United had Andre Onana to thank as the keeper kept out Cameron Archer’s penalty at 0-0.
Here’s how SunSport’s Charlie Wyett rated United’s stars…
Andre Onana – 7
Saved the penalty by Cameron Archer, albeit a poor one from the Southampton forward.
But that stop and the stopped rebound proved to be absolutely crucial.
Noussair Mazraouri – 7
Needed treatment after falling awkwardly in the first half but that did not stop him from delivering a solid performance.
Also got forward to good effect before being one of three United defenders to be subbed off.
Matthijs De Ligt – 8
Shaky start defensively but was unmarked to score from Bruno Fernandes cross to calm United’s nerves with the opener.
He was delighted to get his first United goal and dedicated his celebration to his wife’s birthday today.
Lisandro Martinez – 7
Not been in great form so anything was an improvement – although Saints’ attack was toothless.
Diogo Dalot – 5
Suffered an absolute shocker of a first half courtesy of Southampton’s tricky wingers.
Conceded the penalty after bringing down Tyler Dibling but was also constantly exposed throughout the half.
Kobbie Mainoo – 6
United continue to lean far too heavily on such a young player. And this defensive role does not really suit him.
Christian Eriksen – 7
A surprise starter although United’s two goals came from his corners.
The system, though, still does not play to his strengths as he is too deep.
Bruno Fernandes – 7
Cracking corner cross ball from Eriksen who plonked the ball on the head of De Ligt.
Amad Diallo – 7
Looked lively throughout – really encouraging. Teed up Rashford for the second goal.
Joshua Zirkzee – 6
Forced a couple of saves by Aaron Ramsdale but does not look like a 25 goal-a-season striker.
Marcus Rashford – 7
Hopefully the second goal will give him a real confidence boost. Also forced a couple of saves from Aaron Ramsdale.
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Garnacho (for Rashford 73 mins) 7
Was brutally fouled by Stephens who saw red shortly after coming on. Notched United’s third goal of the game in the final minute.
He struck high into Ramsdale’s high corner after a brilliant ball from Casemiro.
Manuel Ugarte (for Eriksen 73 mins) 6
Harry Maguire (for Mazraouri 74 mins) 6
Jonny Evans (for Martinez 77 mins) 6
Southampton did not look like a team who believed they could find a way back into the game.
United, and Amad Diallo in particular, sensed their fragility and only some last-ditch defending stopped the visitors extending their lead.
Then it was Ramsdale’s turn as he leapt athletically to push away a long-range shot by Rashford, whose confidence had risen visibly.
At that point, just after the hour, Martin made four substitutions. The decision to include Dibling in the players taken off was not popular with the home crowd.
Not much changed, or not enough, anyway.
Southampton did not create a single opening and their frustration told in the final 10 minutes.
As Garnacho tried to scamper down the left touchline, Stephens took him out. A yellow card looked like sufficient punishment, but Attwell reached for his red.
Garnacho’s late third underlined that those anticipating the dismissal of Ten Hag will have to wait.
After the match Ten Hag said: “The start was not easy.
“I think the penalty was the turning point in the game and not so far after we scored and that was very important. From that moment on, the game was all ours.”
Reflecting on Rashford’s ending of his drought, the Dutchman said: “It’s very important.
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“For every striker, they want to be on the scoring list. Once the first is in, more is coming.
“Once a striker was talking about a ketchup bottle, once it’s going, it’s coming more.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
