Manchester United earned victory from the jaws of defeat on a bewildering night at Old Trafford. Amad Diallo netted and late hat-trick in front of the Stretford End to ensure the hosts came from behind to defeat Southampton 3-1.
Ivan Juric will leave Manchester at a loss to how his team lost this game. Southampton, who remain at the bottom of the table, were the better team for most of the game. They piled the pressure on United and forced the Red Devils to defend deep in the first half.
A corner kick saw them take the lead as Tyler Dibling’s flick on struck Manuel Ugarte and deflected past a busy Andre Onana. Ruben Amorim made changes and pushed Amad further up the pitch.
The move was rewarded in the final 10 minutes as the winger struck three times to back an improbable mission seem easy and deserved. United move up to 12th and have unearthed a true matchwinner.
Relive the Premier League action from Old Trafford below:
Manchester United vs Southampton LIVE
- Man Utd host Southampton in the Premier League | Live on TNT Sports
- 90+4′ GOAL! Hat-trick for Amad (MUN 3-1 SOU)
- 90′ GOAL! Amad’s volley sends United ahead (MUN 2-1 SOU)
- 82′ GOAL! Amad Diallo spares United’s blushes (MUN 1-1 SOU)
- 60′ CHANCE! Antony misses sitter to equalise (MUN 0-1 SOU)
- 43′ GOAL! Saints take the lead for a corner (MUN 0-1 SOU)
- 27′ SAVE! Onana pulls off double save to keep United level (MUN 0-0 SOU)
- 19′ CHANCE! Garnacho misses big chance to open scoring (MUN 0-0 SOU)
- 11′ SAVE! Sulemana draws low stop out of Onana (MUN 0-0 SOU)
Manchester United FC 3 – 1 Southampton FC
Amad Diallo’s rescue job distracts from another awful Manchester United performance
22:26 , Mike Jones
Fergie Time may require a new name. Increasingly, it is Amad hour, the period when Manchester United’s new specialist in late drama wreaks havoc. The script is becoming increasingly familiar. Amad Diallo is the rookie who turns rescuer, time and again, the new expert in escapology. He has determined bigger games than this but, even by his standards, a 12-minute hat-trick was quite something. A figure from the fringes has been transformed into United’s new talisman.
And their joy should be married with relief. So many United games in the last dozen years have been described as a new low that it can’t always be correct. This threatened to be the lowest of all. With 10 minutes remaining, United were headed for a fourth consecutive top-flight home defeat, a fate they have not suffered since 1930, on course to lose to a team who risk taking Derby County’s infamous, unwanted record for the fewest points in a Premier League season.
Amad Diallo’s rescue job distracts from another awful Manchester United performance
Amad Diallo speaking to BBC Sport:
22:22 , Mike Jones
“I feel good. I am so happy to score my first hat-trick at Old Trafford. But for me, the most important thing was to win this game and I am happy for the club that we could win it.
“I am so happy for the goal against Liverpool and also today. But the most important thing was to win and I am happy for that.
“I think the team believed till the end. Today we showed that we were the best team on the pitch. We were going to win this game and we did it in the end.
“It’s important to win. This gives us the confidence for the next match. We have to keep going like this and play like this. I believe in this team. We can win every match. We showed at the end that we were very good.”
More from Amad Diallo:
22:15 , Mike Jones
“We know we have quality players in this team. We need sometimes to be more hungry in the final third. Today we showed at the end we were the best team. I am so happy for the win today because this team deserves it.
“I am ready to play every position where the manager likes to put me. I am ready to fight for this club. I am so happy to play where the manager wants me to play and I am so happy to score a hat-trick.”
Amad Diallo speaking to TNT Sports:
22:10 , Mike Jones
“In football you have to believe. We believed until the end and are very happy to win this game. We drew with Arsenal and Liverpool so the confidence was there. We are very happy.
“Maybe one of the best weeks in my life. I am very happy for this win. This team deserved to win this game so I am very happy.”
FT Man Utd 3-1 Southampton
22:06 , Mike Jones
Manchester United earned victory from the jaws of defeat on a bewildering night at Old Trafford. Amad Diallo netted and late hat-trick in front of the Stretford End to ensure the hosts came from behind to defeat Southampton 3-1.
Ivan Juric will leave Manchester at a loss to how his team lost this game. Southampton, who remain at the bottom of the table, were the better team for most of the game. They piled the pressure on United and forced the Red Devils to defend deep in the first half.
A corner kick saw them take the lead as Tyler Dibling’s flick on struck Manuel Ugarte and deflected past a busy Andre Onana. Ruben Amorim made changes and pushed Amad further up the pitch.
The move was rewarded in the final 10 minutes as the winger struck three times to back an improbable mission seem easy and deserved. United move up to 12th and have unearthed a true matchwinner.
FT Man Utd 3-1 Southampton
22:03 , Mike Jones
Full-time! Man Utd 3-1 Southampton
21:54 , Mike Jones
90+5 mins: There goes the final whistle.
Amad Diallo has three goals, Manchester United have three points.
It didn’t seem likely for 80 minutes but a final 10 minute blitz from the hosts was superb and did for Southampton.
GOAL! Man Utd 3-1 Southampton (Amad Diallo, 90+’4)
21:53 , Mike Jones
Hat-trick!
It’s a shocker. Taylor Harwood-Bellis is given the ball from Aaron Ramsdale and makes a heavy first touch.
Amad Diallo takes advantage. He nicks the ball off the defender then slots it home.
Man Utd 2-1 Southampton
21:51 , Mike Jones
90 mins: Five minutes of added time to play at Old Trafford.
GOAL! Man Utd 2-1 Southampton (Amad Diallo, 90′)
21:49 , Mike Jones
Turnaround!
Amad Diallo carries the ball down the right wing before sneding it back ot Christian Eriksen.
Eriksen dinks the ball over the top and into the box as Diallo continues his run.
The winger meets it on the volley and threads the ball past Aaron Ramsdale.
Man Utd 1-1 Southampton
21:46 , Mike Jones
88 mins: Walker-Peters times a fine tackle to perfection as Amad tries to dribble past him again.
The ball goes out off the attacker and Aaron Ramsdale takes his time with the restart.
Man Utd 1-1 Southampton
21:44 , Mike Jones
85 mins: The pressure is now on Southampton who are getting pinned into their own half.
They need to hold on to this point and possibly counter attack to nick all three.
Harry Maguire and Christian Eriksen are not on the pitch for United.
GOAL! Man Utd 1-1 Southampton (Amad Diallo, 82′)
21:40 , Mike Jones
Amad Diallo is the hero of the hour.
Joshua Zirkzee sends the ball out to Diallo on the right side of the pitch.
He drives at Kyle Walker-Peters then smokes a low effort past Aaron Ramsdale to get the hosts level.
Man Utd 0-1 Southampton
21:39 , Mike Jones
81 mins: Harry Maguire and Christian Eriksen are getting ready to come on for Man Utd.
Zirkzee wins a free kick that Fernandes gives to Amad. He then floats the ball into the box but there’s no-one there and the ball goes out of play.
Man Utd 0-1 Southampton
21:37 , Mike Jones
78 mins: Bruno Fernandes is on the edge of his own penalty area trying to get possession for Manchester United.
He’s only slightly successful.
United burst forward on the left with Joshua Zirkzee striding into the box.
A clearance from Aaron Ramsdale comes out to Alejandro Garnacho who cuts onto his right foot and sends a shoot straight back to the goalkeeper.
Man Utd 0-1 Southampton
21:33 , Mike Jones
75 mins: Adam Armstrong and Flynn Downes come on for Southampton with Joe Aribo and Mateus Fernandes replaced for the final 15 minutes.
Man Utd 0-1 Southampton
21:30 , Mike Jones
72 mins: Close!
Harwood-Bellis comes to the rescue for Saints as Garnacho dances down the left.
He pulls it back into the box where Amad runs onto the ball and fizzes a shot straight into the leaping body of the defender.
Man Utd 0-1 Southampton
21:28 , Mike Jones
69 mins: Ruben Amorim’s changes have improved Man Utd but they’re trailing and the pressure is mounting on them.
Amad and Antony combine on the right side to get the former into the box but Walker-Peters is on hand to clear the danger.
Man Utd 0-1 Southampton
21:24 , Mike Jones
66 mins: Will Smallbone comes on to replace Tyler Dibling for Southampton.
United attempt to exert some control on proceedings. Joshua Zirkzee gets the ball into the box and holds onto it too long before getting forced wide.
Man Utd 0-1 Southampton
21:20 , Mike Jones
63 mins: Tyler Dibling is down for Southampton and needs a bit of treatment.
Ruben Amorim is wildly yelling at his players during the break.
Man Utd have not performed to his expectations at all.
Man Utd 0-1 Southampton
21:18 , Mike Jones
60 mins: How’s that not gone in?!
Garnacho bursts into space and takes the ball into the box. He squares a pass to the back post and perfectly finds Antony.
Antony goes to ground and totally fumbles a tap-in. Instead he pokes the ball into the hands of the goalkeeper.
I can’t believe he’s missed that one.
Man Utd 0-1 Southampton
21:17 , Mike Jones
58 mins: Close! Sulemana sprints into space behind Amad Diallo and sprints behind Leny Yoro again.
Yoro has been outclassed.
Sulemana takes the ball into the box and curls a shot wide of the far post.
‘Some unflattering verdicts from Amorim’
21:15 , Richard Jolly at Old Trafford
“Some unflattering verdicts on his starters by Amorim, hauling off Kobbie Mainoo at half-time, followed by Rasmus Hojlund and Manuel Ugarte a few minutes later.
“It certainly shows that he feels United were outmanoeuvred in midfield.
“United have had stronger benches than Antony, Joshua Zirkzee and Toby Collyer but each is on now, charged with instigating a comeback.”
Man Utd 0-1 Southampton
21:14 , Mike Jones
57 mins: A quick counter attack, led by Antony, seems United get up the pitch.
The ball comes to Garnacho who lifts a pass to the far post but Amad can’t get his head to the ball and it goes out of play.
Man Utd 0-1 Southampton
21:12 , Mike Jones
54 mins: Lisandro Martinez is booked for a late tackle on Lesley Ugochukwu.
Saints have a free kick on the edge of the box.
Amorim makes another couple of changes. JRasmus Hojlund and Manuel Ugarte are off. Toby Collyer and Joshua Zirkzee are on.
Mateus Fernandes takes the free kick and Zirkzee nods it behind from his position in the wall.
Man Utd 0-1 Southampton
21:10 , Mike Jones
52 mins: Southampton are back in control. Sulemana nips in behind Leny Yoro once again and squeezes into the box.
He shoots and hits De Ligt who have have stopped the ball with his hand.
VAR are taking a look at the incident… it’s cleared.
Man Utd 0-1 Southampton
21:08 , Mike Jones
50 mins: It’s been a bright start from the hosts, there’s been a reaction.
They keep men up the pitch after the corner ball which results in a shot from Matthijs de Ligt.
Man Utd 0-1 Southampton
21:05 , Mike Jones
47 mins: Ally McCoist says that Man Utd were ‘miles off it’ in the first half and he’s probably underselling it.
Chance! Manuel Ugarte flicks a fine pass over to Bruno Fernandes who cuts inside and feeds the ball into the box.
Antony receives it and his shot is deflected behind by Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
Second half! Man Utd 0-1 Southampton
21:03 , Mike Jones
Ruben Amorim is making a change. Kobbie Mainoo is hooked off with Antony introduced for the hosts.
Bruno Fernandes is playing deeper now to get on the ball more.
Southampton restart the match.
HT Man Utd 0-1 Southampton
21:00 , Mike Jones
Ruben Amorim has a task on his hands to turn this game around.
Man Utd need to play higher up the pitch but there’s been so much space in behind their midfield that Saints have forced them back.
Let’s see what changes the manager makes at half-time.
HT Man Utd 0-1 Southampton
20:56 , Mike Jones
According to the stats Manchester United had 10 shots in that half with one of them being on target.
I can remember two or three at most.
In comparison, Southampton had eight shots and five of them were on target. Andre Onana has been a busy man.
HT Man Utd 0-1 Southampton
20:52 , Mike Jones
Half-time! Man Utd 0-1 Southampton
20:48 , Mike Jones
The whistle goes and boos ring out around Old Trafford as Manchester United head into the break trailing the visitors.
That was an awful performance from the hosts and they need the hairdryer treatment from Ruben Amorim.
GOAL! Man Utd 0-1 Southampton (Manuel Ugarte OG, 43′)
20:44 , Mike Jones
There it is!
The corner ball is whipped into the box and Tyle Dibling flicks the ball on.
It strikes Manuel Ugarte on the back and deflects towards goal.
Andre Onana gets a hand to the ball but can’t stop it from crossing the line.
Man Utd 0-0 Southampton
20:43 , Mike Jones
42 mins: Southampton are bottom of the Premier League.
They’re making Man Utd look like amateurs at present.
Sulemana receives a dainty pass inside the box but he gets his foot stuck in the pitch and can’t get a shot off.
United poke the ball behind for a corner.
Man Utd 0-0 Southampton
20:39 , Mike Jones
39 mins: After Southampton string together a fine period of play, Man Utd manage to put together a couple of attacks of their own.
The hosts haven’t been very penentrating though and Southampton’s defence has been up to the task of keeping them at bay so far.
Man Utd 0-0 Southampton
20:36 , Mike Jones
36 mins: Man Utd are playing with a back five at present.
Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui are sat so deep that there’s no pressure on the Southampton midfielders.
They’re resorting to long balls and hold up play from Rasmus Hojlund.
‘A terrific double save’
20:35 , Richard Jolly at Old Trafford
“A terrific double save from Andre Onana to deny Tyler Dibling and Fernandes.
“There was never any doubt he would return to the side, brilliantly as Altay Bayindir did at Arsenal, but the concern for United may be how vulnerable they have looked when Southampton’s wingers have run at them.
“After everything that has been said about Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation, they are struggling against a side who employ a similar shape.”
Man Utd 0-0 Southampton
20:34 , Mike Jones
33 mins: A goal will open up this match for Manchester United – one way or another.
If they score first they’ll settle down, if they don’t there’ll be a frenetic need to get back into the match.
Ivan Juric is going mad at something on the sidelines. He’s not totally content out there.
Man Utd 0-0 Southampton
20:31 , Mike Jones
30 mins: Southampton certainly look the more dangerous side.
There is so much space to get at Man Utd’s defence that Ivan Juric will be bewildered that his men aren’t in front.
Ruben Amorim will have a worse headache as his defenders keep backing away from the ball.
Dibling has another go but fizzes this one wide.
Man Utd 0-0 Southampton
20:29 , Mike Jones
27 mins: Incredible!
Southampton should score. Tyler Dibling nips around Lisandro Martinez and takes the ball into the box. He shoots but Andre Onana is there to stop the ball.
It comes out to Mateus Fernandes who chests it down the smokes a shot at goal only for Onana to make himself big and pull off a double save!
Man Utd 0-0 Southampton
20:27 , Mike Jones
24 mins: Manchester United are upping the tempo again.
Garnacho has a shot blocked on the edge of the box but the hosts are starting to impose themselves on the game again.
They are wary of the pace of Dibling and Sulemana though and don’t want to send too many of their midfielders up the pitch.
Man Utd 0-0 Southampton
20:22 , Mike Jones
19 mins: Chance!
Wow. Rasmus Hojlund is fed down the left channel and sprints in behind the Southampton defence.
He carries the ball into the box and pulls it back leaving Alejandro Garnacho with a simple shot.
Garnacho side-foots the effort but pings his shot wide of goal!
United should be one up.
Man Utd 0-0 Southampton
20:19 , Mike Jones
16 mins: Southampton have turned the fortunes around already and seem the more threatening team.
United win a corner which Amad Diallo swings into the box. His cross goes over most of the heads before Tyler Dibling completes the clearance.
‘Sulemana is electric
20:17 , Richard Jolly at Old Trafford
“Southampton haven’t given their supporters much to sing about so far in a season when they have one league win but the travelling fans have began sounding vocal and buoyant.
“On the pitch, Ivan Juric’s side pose a tactical challenge with a formation that has no genuine striker but an attack of two wingers, with Mateus Fernandes playing as more of a No 10. Kamaldeen Sulemana, who is electric, has sped past Leny Yoro to draw a save from Andre Onana.
“But Southampton may remember they began well in the reverse fixture, too, and still lost 3-0.”
Man Utd 0-0 Southampton
20:14 , Mike Jones
11 mins: Save!
Southampton create the first proper chance when they come down the left wing.
Leny Yoro is beaten on his inside by Kamaldeen Sulemana who dances into the box and draws a low save out of Andre Onana.
Man Utd 0-0 Southampton
20:09 , Mike Jones
6 mins: United have done well to control possession and force Southampton back but the visitors are biting back.
Lisandro Martinez lunges into a late tackle deep in his own half and the Saints win a free kick in a dangerous area.
Man Utd 0-0 Southampton
20:04 , Mike Jones
3 mins: Man Utd win the first corner of the game and swing it into the middle of the six-yard area.
Aaron Ramsdale confidently punches it clear but the hosts collect the ball and come at the Saints again.
Kick off! Man Utd 0-0 Southampton
20:02 , Mike Jones
Manchester United get the ball rolling and send it down to Andre Onana.
He goes long and the hosts recover possession. They work it out to Amad Diallo who misplaces a pass and sends the ball out of play.
Man Utd vs Southampton
19:55 , Mike Jones
Here come the teams.
Bruno Fernandes leads out Manchester United with the knowledge that three points tonight is a must.
Southampton are bottom of the league and have only collected six points this season.
United need to win this game if they hope to build on their recent momentum.
Kick off is up next…
Diallo’s destiny?
19:50 , Mike Jones
Amad Diallo has been involved in nine goals in his last 12 Premier League starts for Manchester United, scoring three and assisting six.
The Ivorian could become the first African player to reach double figures for goal involvements in a single campaign for the Red Devils.
(Action Images via Reuters)
Build from the back
19:45 , Mike Jones
Southampton defenders Jan Bednarek and Jack Stephens pass to each other on average 40 times per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season, the highest average of any duo to play at least 500 minutes together this term.
Set piece improvements needed
19:40 , Mike Jones
Nine of United’s 28 Premier League goals conceded this season have been headers, while nine have also come from corners; both league-high ratios of 32%
Manchester United set transfer demand for Alejandro Garnacho to Napoli based on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s fee
19:35 , Mike Jones
Napoli are pressing ahead with a move for Manchester United‘s Alejandro Garnacho, as they seek to reshape the attack after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s expected move to Paris Saint-Germain.
The Old Trafford hierarchy are willing to listen to all offers this January, even for homegrown products, due to the club’s highly restricted circumstances with PSR. Ruben Amorim wants to begin to overhaul of the squad, but can’t without sales.
Man Utd set new Garnacho transfer demand after £70m deal completed
Unwanted records for Amorim
19:30 , Mike Jones
Since Ruben Amorim’s appointment, United have won just eight league points from a possible 27.
They would be in the relegation zone based on their form over the last six matches. Only Leicester City and Southampton have amassed fewer than their four points during this period.
The Red Devils could also lose four top-flight games in a row at home for the first time since 1930.
A lack of goals and a lack of wins
19:25 , Mike Jones
Southampton have scored only 12 league goals this season – the lowest tally of any side in the top five tiers of English football.
They are winless in their last 17 Premier League away games, their longest stretch of top-flight matches on the road without a victory since a sequence of 19 fixtures ended in February 1986.
Saints on course for relegation
19:20 , Mike Jones
Southampton are statistically the worst-ever side after 20 games of a Premier League season: their tally of six points is the same as Sunderland’s 19 years ago but Saints have a worse goal difference of -32.
The lowest points a team has had at the halfway stage of a Premier League campaign and avoided relegation is 10 by West Bromwich Albion in 2004-05.
Bruno Fernandes promises to ‘deliver’ more positive results for Manchester United
19:15 , Mike Jones
Manchester United captain, Bruno Fernandes, promised to ‘deliver’ more positive results for the team following their penalty shootout victory over Arsenal in the FA Cup third round on Sunday.
Fernandes scored the opening goal at the Emirates Stadium before Arsenal defender Gabriel equalised after Diogo Dalot had been sent off in the second half.
United played 60 minutes with 10-men against the Gunners and came through extra-time to force a shootout which they won 5-3 after Joshua Zirkzee’s decisive winner.
Bruno Fernandes promises to ‘deliver’ more positive results for Manchester United
United’s awful run
19:10 , Mike Jones
Manchester United have lost five of their last seven Premier League matches, winning just once.
They have lost three successive Premier League fixtures at Old Trafford for the first time in 45 years.
Saints improving at Old Trafford
19:05 , Mike Jones
Southampton lost 13 of the first 14 Premier League away meetings but have subsequently been defeated on just three of their last 10 visits to Old Trafford.
However, Saints have won only two league games at Old Trafford since 1988.
Manchester United vs Southampton
19:00 , Mike Jones
Manchester United are unbeaten in their last 15 Premier League games against Southampton (seven wins, eight draws), since a 1-0 home loss in January 2016.
Southampton clash will reveal Manchester United’s true nature, says Ruben Amorim
18:55 , Mike Jones
Ruben Amorim believes he will learn more about his Manchester United players from their clash with bottom-of-the-table Southampton than he did from the trips to Liverpool and Arsenal.
New head coach Amorim wants to see how his team play with the pressure of being expected to win against Saints, who have only recorded one league victory and taken just six points so far this season.
Southampton clash will reveal Manchester United’s true nature, says Ruben Amorim
‘Maguire’s efforts may have taken a toll’
18:53 , Richard Jolly at Old Trafford
“Ruben Amorim praised Harry Maguire for his wholehearted efforts against Arsenal but they may have taken a toll.
“Maguire drops out of the team four days later, with Leny Yoro starting instead against Southampton.
“With Diogo Dalot suspended, there was a question of who Amorim would use at wing-back.
“Amad Diallo appears to have provided the answer, with his return to the team presumably at right wing-back.
“United have lost their last three home league games and Southampton have not won away in the division this season so something has to give.”
Man Utd vs Southampton
18:51 , Mike Jones
Just over an hour to go until kick off. The team news is out and Alejandro Garnacho starts for Man Utd.
Is that a sign Ruben Amorim wants the Argentine to remain at the club despite interest in the winger during the transfer window?
Southampton line-up versus Man Utd
18:49 , Mike Jones
Southampton XI: Ramsdale; Sugawara, Bree, Bednarek, Harwood-Bellis, Walker-Peters; Ugochukwu, Fernandes, Aribo, Dibling; Kamaldeen
Manchester United line-up versus Southampton
18:47 , Mike Jones
Man Utd XI: Onana; Yoro, De Light, Martinez; Amad Diallo, Mainoo, Ugarte, Mazraoui; Garnacho, Hojlund, Fernandes
Man Utd must find consistency
18:40 , Mike Jones
Consistency in their performances is the goal for Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United.
The manager knows that his team performed wonderfully against Liverpool and Arsenal but hopes to see those types of performances more often.
“I’m always concerned because we didn’t have, during these games, the consistency in performance or results, so I’m always worried. It’s my job to be worried,” said Amorim,
“But we have to face Southampton in the same way that we faced Liverpool or Arsenal. That is the goal. Not more, not less. Understanding that they are different games and people expect us to win, and that changes things.
“When you have the pressure to win, that is the pressure that we want and sometimes it’s harder to cope with that pressure because against Arsenal and Liverpool, no one was expecting us to beat these teams.
“We have to be prepared for that pressure, we need that pressure to improve as a team, and we need to face the game in the right way.”
Garnacho still learning system
18:35 , Mike Jones
Alejandro Garnacho is still learning to play in Ruben Amorim’s preferred 3-4-3 system but the manager admits the Argentine is a real talent.
“That is clear, he has talent,” Amorim said, “He needs to learn to play a little bit in a different position. He needs to play better inside.
“He improved a lot in the recovering position, when he doesn’t have the ball, but, doing that, sometimes he’s not in the right place to make transitions, like he was in the past, because I prefer to defend and then build up with all the team to make the final third.
“So he’s finding the best way to play in this system. He’s improving, during training.”
Juric on Swansea win
18:30 , Mike Jones
Southampton’s last outing was a 3-0 victory over Swansea in the FA Cup and the manager knows tonight’s match will be different.
“We did some things well [against Swansea], but we know it will be a different game against Swansea than against Manchester United,” Ivan Juric said.
“We are preparing well. The guys are a little bit more confident after the Swansea game, we will see.”
Juric on facing Man Utd
18:25 , Mike Jones
Ivan Juric spoke about the prospect of facing Man Utd tonight and what he thinks of their indifferent form since Ruben Amorim took over.
Juric said: “Manchester United have changed the manager, they’ve changed their style of play. They play 3-4-3 like [Ruben] Amorim did at Sporting [Lisbon].
“They are trying to find the right way. They’ve played some good games, some bad games, it’s normal when you change the style of football.”
Ruben Amorim confident that Alejandro Garnacho can have bright Man Utd future
18:20 , Mike Jones
Ruben Amorim has said it is “clear” Alejandro Garnacho can have a bright future at Manchester United despite reports linking him with a move away this month.
Sunday’s FA Cup match at Arsenal, which United went on to win in a penalty shoot-out, was the first time Garnacho had made Amorim’s starting XI since the 3-2 home defeat to Nottingham Forest on December 7.
Ruben Amorim confident that Alejandro Garnacho can have bright Man Utd future
Juric hopeful of Downes return
18:15 , Mike Jones
Southampton boss Iva Juric is hopeful that Flynn Downes will be able to feature against Manchester United tonight.
Speaking ahead of the game he said: “Flynn Downes did his first training yesterday.
“He is ok. We will see if he can play from the beginning or later, but it is ok.
“I think everybody is fit, everybody is ok.”
Luke Shaw making progress
18:10 , Mike Jones
Luke Shaw is nearing a return to the team says Man Utd manager Ruben Amorim though it will be a couple of weeks before the left-back is fit to play again.
Amorim said: “Luke Shaw is nearer than Mason Mount.
“Mason Mount will take a little bit longer. Luke, we’ll see in the next week or two. We’ll see if he’s returning.”
Amorim issues injury update
18:05 , Mike Jones
Ruben Amorim spoke about Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez and whether the two defenders would be able to play tonight’s match.
“Harry [Maguire] was sick in the last game,” said Amorim. “He was dead in the end – and that’s what I want from every player.
“Harry, we will see. We cannot lose him, so we will see [if he can play]. Martinez, I think, is okay. Diogo [Dalot] cannot play – his fault!”
Man Utd’s FA Cup redemption hands Arsenal a lesson that can save their season
18:00 , Mike Jones
While Ruben Amorim said that he instantly felt “today was our day”, Mikel Arteta now has to figure out what next for Arsenal’s season.
So much for the FA Cup losing its meaning. This defiant penalty shoot-out victory for 10-man Manchester United could have significant consequences for the campaigns of both clubs. For Amorim, it only fosters momentum and a greater sense of unity after last Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Liverpool.
Man Utd’s redemption hands Arsenal a lesson that can save their season
Man Utd vs Southampton prediction
17:55 , Mike Jones
Manchester United’s recent upturn in form will give them confidence ahead of facing a Saints side who have lost three on the bounce, including a heavy 5-0 defeat to Brentford last time out in the league.
Ruben Amorim will be keen for a morale boosting win at Old Trafford and his players should deliver if they hit similar levels to their recent outings against Liverpool and Arsenal.
Manchester United 3-0 Southampton.
Southampton early team news
17:50 , Mike Jones
Southampton have no new injury concerns after beating Swansea 3-0 in the FA Cup at the weekend, but Jack Stephens, ross Stewart and Flynn Downes remain sidelined.
Predicted Southampton XI: Ramsdale; Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Wood; Bree, Ugochukwu, Aribo, Walker-Peters; Dibling, Onuachu, Sulemana.
Man Utd early team news
17:45 , Mike Jones
Diogo Dalot will serve his one-match suspension this evening after his red card against Arsenal, while Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof and Mason Mount remain sidelined. It is assumed that Marcus Rashford will not be in the squad as he continues to look for a move away from the club.
Other than that, there are no new injury concerns for Ruben Amorim, though Andre Onana will likely return to goal despite the heroics of Altay Bayindir at the weekend. Tyrell Malacia is the obvious choice to replace Dalot at wing-back, while Joshua Zirkzee will hope his cameo was impressive enough to take the place of Rasmus Hojlund at striker.
Predicted Man Utd XI: Onana; de Ligt, Maguire, Martinez; Mazraoui, Mainoo, Ugarte, Malacia; Diallo, Fernandes; Zirkzee.
How can I watch it?
17:40 , Mike Jones
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage on the channel from 6.30pm GMT.
Subscribers can stream via discovery+.
When is Manchester United vs Southampton?
17:35 , Mike Jones
Manchester United vs Southampton is due to kick off at 8pm GMT on Thursday 16 January at Old Trafford.
Manchester United vs Southampton
17:30 , Mike Jones
Manchester United face Southampton in the Premier League tonight as the hosts look to build on positive results in their last couple of matches.
Ruben Amorim’s side recovered from the 2-0 loss to Newcastle to record a draw at Anfield and a win on penalties in the FA Cup against Arsenal last weekend, and while the nature of the performances will have given fans encouragement, it is vital that results continue to improve, with United still sitting in 13th in the league.
However, tonight is a good chance to grab three points as they face the side that is bottom of the league, with Southampton having managed just six points from their opening 20 matches.
And to add to their woes, new Saints manager Ivan Juric has suffered three losses and one draw so far as he looks to turn around his team’s fortunes.
Manchester United vs Southampton LIVE
14:06 , Chris Wilson
Good evening and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of tonight’s Premier League match between Manchester United and Southampton.
Both sides are desperate for three points at Old Trafford, with Ruben Amorim’s side looking to build on recent positive results while the Saints hope to add to their measly tally of just six points so far this season.
And we’ll have all the latest team news and updates right here.
