Bruno Fernandes delivered the decisive blow for Manchester United in a 1-0 victory over Southampton at St. Mary’s Stadium, bringing an finish to his facet’s seven-game shedding run in away matches.
United had the primary sighting at objective as they focused Southampton’s left-hand facet. Diogo Dalot prevailed in a 50/50 problem in opposition to Moussa Djenepo to work a promising crossing place, however the Portuguese’s supply lacked the required high quality to seek out Fernandes.
Erik ten Hag’s males should have opened the scoring within the 18th minute as Southampton redefined the which means of heroic defending. Firstly, Kyle Walker-Peters was alert to forestall Fernandes from heading residence from point-blank vary, earlier than Gavin Bazunu denied Anthony Elanga’s follow-up effort at his close to put up.
Fernandes then had a second chunk of the cherry with an acrobatic effort which Walker-Peters was once more equal to, earlier than the ball fell invitingly for Christian Eriksen to lash in direction of objective. Nonetheless, Armel Bella-Kotchap upstaged his teammates by diving heroically to dam the Dane’s volley in entrance of objective.
Southampton slowly gained a foothold within the sport, with Che Adams firing straight at David de Gea after getting away from Lisandro Martinez contained in the penalty space.
The Scotland worldwide had a extra inviting alternative minutes later. Mohamed Elyounoussi reversed a stunning go by means of the United defence, though Adams didn’t generate the ample buy on his end from a good angle.
Scott McTominay common an effort on the Southampton objective following the restart, though his strike was directed straight at Bazunu after being performed in by Elanga.
United did not have to attend lengthy to seek out the opener, nevertheless, as a wonderful transfer down the best launched Dalot right into a crossing alternative. The Portuguese pulled the ball throughout to his countryman Fernandes, ghosting into the penalty space unmarked, earlier than the midfielder cushioned an professional volley into the underside nook.
Excellent end! 🎯
Bruno Fernandes finds the again of the Southampton internet with a first-time end ✅ pic.twitter.com/P9oCDRLaOA
— Soccer on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) August 27, 2022
Southampton may have levelled within the sixty fifth minute as De Gea was pressured into motion. Adam Armstrong dug out a cross from the byline the place Joe Aribo drew a tremendous save from the United No.1 with a strong header, earlier than Walker-Peters nodded over on the rebound.
The house facet continued to pour ahead in the hunt for an equaliser, with substitute Sekou Mara going shut in fast succession, however Ten Hag’s facet stood tall to seal their second consecutive victory.
GK: Gavin Bazunu – 6/10 – Made a terrific save to forestall Elanga at his close to put up within the first half. Alert to most issues that United threw at him.
RB: Kyle Walker-Peters – 7/10 – Made a number of important defensive interventions, together with a pair of sensational blocks within the first half, and was a continuing hazard going ahead for the house facet.
CB: Armel Bella-Kotchap – 8/10 – Heroic block to disclaim Eriksen an nearly sure opener from the deluge of United possibilities within the 18th minute. Spurned a terrific likelihood later within the half to interrupt the impasse, however his defending was immaculate all afternoon.
CB: Mohammed Salisu – 7/10 – His show did not seize consideration in the identical method as Bella-Kotchap, however he was cerebral in his defending and helped marshal the fluid frontline of the guests.
LB: Moussa Djenepo – 5/10 – Focused by United given his pure place would not lie at full-back. Confirmed some intent going ahead, however he was overwhelmed within the lead-up to Fernandes’ objective.
CM: James Ward-Prowse – 6/10 – Moved in unision with Lavia, displaying his promising passing vary on a number of ocassions. United stifled him effectively.
CM: Romeo Lavia – 7/10 – Intelligent in his means to interrupt up play and execute the best go to right away spring Southampton ahead. All the time alert to the hazard and seems a really shrewd pick-up for the Saints.
RM: Mohamed Elyounoussi – 6/10 – Proved very harmful when he floated infield and will sq. up the United backline. Interchanged impressively with Aribo.
AM: Joe Aribo – 6/10 – Loved some early success slicing down the within of United’s right-hand facet. The ball was usually glued to his toes and he had the possibility to degree for the Saints with a header that was saved by De Gea.
LM: Adam Armstrong – 5/10 – Pissed off the house crowd at occasions. Lacked a punch within the remaining third and struggled to get the higher of Dalot on a constant foundation.
ST: Che Adams – 5/10 – Made a number of intelligent runs and gave Martinez a troublesome afternoon within the first half. However he lacked conviction in entrance of objective and pale within the second half.
SUB: Stuart Armstrong (62′ for Elyounoussi) – 5/10 – Supplied one other attacking menace for Hasenhuttl’s facet.
SUB: Sekou Mara (77′ for Armstrong) – N/A
SUB: Lyanco (89′ for Aribo) – N/A
SUB: Romain Perraud (89′ for Djenepo) – N/A
Supervisor: Ralph Hasenhuttl – 6/10 – A few his summer time signings stood out, however his facet lacked a punch in entrance of objective. The continued choice of Djenepo at left-back stays complicated.
GK: David de Gea – 7/10 – Referred to as into motion within the sixty fifth minute when Aribo examined him with a header from shut vary, however he made a powerful reflex cease.
RB: Diogo Dalot – 8/10 – Supplied glorious width on the right-hand facet for United along with his runs from deep, delivering a scrumptious ball into Fernandes to open the scoring for the away facet.
CB: Raphael Varane – 6/10 – At present providing extra assurance to the United defence than the benched Harry Maguire. Dominant within the air which enhances Martinez effectively.
CB: Lisandro Martinez – 6/10 – Southampton appeared to focus on him aerially within the early exchanges, but it surely was on the bottom the place he struggled to find Che Adams within the first half. Huge enchancment after the interval and did not put a foot unsuitable.
LB: Tyrell Malacia – 6/10 – Actually robust within the problem and did not provide Southampton a lot change down the skin. Rising into his position within the United facet.
CM: Scott McTominay – 6/10 – Appeared to run off the again of Southampton’s midfield at any time when he may, testing Bazunu within the second half. Threw himself about excellently from a bodily perspective.
CM: Christian Eriksen – 6/10 – Performed a quarterback position for United, seeking to flip defence into assault with one swing of his boot. As he did in opposition to Liverpool, nevertheless, he appeared to fade bodily within the second interval.
RM: Anthony Elanga – 6/10 – Must have finished higher when introduced with a golden likelihood amid the United melee within the 18th minute. His motion in off the best from the touchline brought on Saints issues, particularly within the lead as much as Fernandes’ strike.
AM: Bruno Fernandes – 7/10 – Had a few nice possibilities to place United forward within the first half, however he redeemed himself with an beautiful end on the volley from Dalot’s pull-back cross. Appeared extra like his previous self within the remaining third.
LM: Jadon Sancho – 4/10 – Operated from the left-hand facet the place Kyle-Walker proved his equal. Could not weave his magic earlier than he was withdrawn for Ronaldo.
ST: Marcus Rashford – 4/10 – Struggled in his central position. Stifled by Southampton’s spectacular central defensive pairing and had little or no house to take advantage of.
SUB: Cristiano Ronaldo (67′ for Sancho) – 5/10 – Wasn’t concerned a lot as United aimed to guard their lead.
SUB: Casemiro (79′ for Elanga) – N/A
SUB: Fred (90′ for Eriksen) – N/A
Supervisor: Erik ten Hag – 6/10 – Continued along with his omission of Maguire and Ronaldo and it bore fruit as soon as once more. He additionally appears to have gotten a tune out of Fernandes.
