2024-09-14 19:55:02
Manchester United claimed a morale-boosting win to ease the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag as Southampton lost a fourth consecutive game since returning to the Premier League.
United came into the early kick-off needing a result following back-to-back defeats to Brighton and Liverpool and Southampton were handed an early chance to give Ten Hag a further problem when Diogo Dalot fouled 18-year-old winger Tyler Dibling in the penalty area.
But Cameron Archer’s effort from the spot was saved by Andre Onana and moments later the striker’s miss was punished by Matthijs de Ligt, the defender heading home from Bruno Fernandes’ excellent cross for his first United goal since signing from Bayern Munich.
Marcus Rashford then scored his first Manchester United goal since March to double the lead for the visitors. The forward was left unmarked on the edge of the box and bent a dipping shot inside Aaron Ramsdale’s post to end his scoring drought after a difficult start to the season.
Southampton offered little in the second half – in fact, Russell Martin’s side did not have another shot on goal after Archer’s penalty miss – and they were later reduced to 10 men when captain Jack Stephens was sent off for a wild lunge on Alejandro Garnacho.
Garnacho added a third in stoppage time as United claimed an important three points. Follow all the reaction to Manchester United’s win in our live blog, below
Southampton vs Man Utd LIVE
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FULL TIME! Southampton 0-3 Manchester United
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90+5’ GOAL! Alejandro Garnacho adds third late on as United claim win [SOU 0-3 MUN]
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79’ RED CARD! Jack Stephens sent off for awful challenge on Garnacho [SOU 0-2 MUN]
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41’ GOAL! Marcus Rashford scores first goal since March to double United’s lead [SOU 0-2 MUN]
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35’ GOAL! Matthijs de Ligt scores header moments after Archer misses penalty [SOU 0-1 MUN]
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33’ PENALTY SAVED! Cameron Archer misses from spot as Andre Onana saves [SOU 0-0 MUN]
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15’ CHANCE! Zirkzee can’t make contact with Eriksen cross from six yards [SOU 0-0 MUN]
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7’ SAVE! Southampton’s Dibling, 18, forces early save on Premier League debut [SOU 0-0 MUN]
Southampton FC 0 – 3 Manchester United FC
FULL TIME! Southampton 0-3 Manchester United
14:29 , Jamie Braidwood
Just what Manchester United needed. A 3-0 win and a morale-boosting performance to lift the mood after back-to-back defeats. The match turned on Cameron Archer’s penalty miss, with Matthijs de Ligt and Marcus Rashford scoring twice in eight minutes before half time.
Alejandro Garnacho scored in added time, after Southampton skipper Jack Stephens was sent off for a wild lunge on the winger.
GOAL! Southampton 0-3 Manchester United (GARNACHO 90+5’)
14:26 , Jamie Braidwood
That’s it! United have threatened that all afternoon. Dalot is played five yards onside, with Southampton not pressuring the ball, and the cut-back finds Garnacho.
The winger’s finish goes high into the net. 3-0. Job done.
Southampton 0-2 Manchester United
14:24 , Jamie Braidwood
90+3 mins: Matthijs de Ligt is given player of the match by TNT Sports.
Southampton 0-2 Manchester United
14:21 , Jamie Braidwood
90 mins: CHANCE! United have missed the opportunity to rack up the score in the second half. Diallo’s run leads to a chance for Zirkzee, but his effort is blocked.
We’ll have six minutes of added time.
Southampton 0-2 Manchester United
14:17 , Jamie Braidwood
86 mins: A worry here for Manchester United as another defender is forced off, this time De Ligt, who says he has cramp. He’s replaced by Casemiro, who returns to the pitch at centre back after that disastrous performance against Liverpool two weeks ago.
United’s back four is now Dalot, Casemiro, Maguire and Evans.
RED CARD! Southampton 0-2 Manchester United
14:10 , Jamie Braidwood
78 mins: Southampton are down to 10! It’s a straight red card for Southampton captain Jack Stephens. It’s a horrible challenge, flying into Garnacho’s knee from the side with his studs raised after the winger had skipped away.
Awful, and completely unnecessary at this stage of the game. He’ll be banned for the next three, at least, while Garnacho is lucky he has escaped a serious injury.
Southampton 0-2 Manchester United
14:05 , Jamie Braidwood
75 mins: Maguire is booked immediately for kicking the ball away in a very similar incident to Declan Rice’s second yellow two weeks ago.
Lisandro Martinez looks to have picked up a knock. His last action is to win a challenge in the box to stop a Southampton attack, but he is replaced by Jonny Evans.
Southampton 0-2 Manchester United
14:01 , Jamie Braidwood
71 mins:
Time for United changes now. Manuel Ugarte will be making his debut from the bench following his £41.1m move from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day.
Joining him will be Alejandro Garnacho and Harry Maguire.
Southampton 0-2 Manchester United
13:59 , Jamie Braidwood
68 mins:
The changes from Southampton have at least slowed United’s momentum.
Bruno Fernandes is booked for kicking the ball away after it had rolled out of play.
Southampton 0-2 Manchester United
13:54 , Jamie Braidwood
62 mins: FOUR changes from Southampton boss Russell Martin, which are greeted by a few murmurs from the home fans.
Dibling, Ugochukwu, Archer and Brereton-Diaz are off.
Lallana, Fraser, Cornet and Stewart are on.
Southampton 0-2 Manchester United
13:50 , Jamie Braidwood
59 mins: Diallo is getting so much space to drive forward down the right. Time and time again United break, and this time it takes a strong challenge from Stephens to block a cross from Fernandes.
Southampton have dropped out of the game. United completely dominating.
SAVE! An effort from 25 yards from Rashford, from the angle! Ramsdale is equal to it, but that’s another sign of Rashford’s confidence that he took it on from there.
Southampton 0-2 Manchester United
13:46 , Jamie Braidwood
55 mins: Rinse and repeat. Diallo flies forward on the right and works the ball inside to Zirkzee, whose touch is heavy. The striker, who would also love a goal, can’t find room to get his shot away, before a Southampton clearance rebounds off Mazraoui until it is finally claimed by Ramsdale. United should be looking to kill this game off.
Southampton 0-2 Manchester United
13:42 , Jamie Braidwood
51 mins: United fly forward again through Rashford down the left – the forward looking more confident now after breaking his scoring drought. Rashford looks for the far corner but his shot is deflected and loops wide. Ramsdale gathers the corner.
Southampton 0-2 Manchester United
13:40 , Jamie Braidwood
48 mins: The game is set up for United to counter-attack now, and the visitors get an early chance to add the third right at the start of the second half. Diallo finds the overlapping run of Mazraoui down the right and the full-back attempts to catch out Ramsdale at his near post.
Ramsdale had it covered and the shot goes wide.
Southampton 0-2 Manchester United
13:35 , Jamie Braidwood
We’re ready to get back underway. No changes at the break.
HALF TIME! Southampton 0-2 Manchester United
13:28 , Jamie Braidwood
That was Marcus Rashford’s first goal for Manchester United since the FA Cup quarter-final win against Liverpool in March 2024 – 181 days ago.
You could see how much it meant to him after a difficult start to the season.
HALF TIME! Southampton 0-2 Manchester United
13:20 , Jamie Braidwood
Erik ten Hag and Russell Martin head into the break preparing very different team talks than if Cameron Archer had converted Southampton’s penalty at 0-0. Instead, Andre Onana saved well down low to his right, and within eight minutes goals from Matthijs de Ligt and Marcus Rashford had put the visitors two goals up.
Welcome to the Premier League.
Southampton 0-2 Manchester United
13:17 , Jamie Braidwood
45 mins: There were just eight minutes between Archer’s miss and Rashford’s goal, which put United 2-0 up. It could have got even worse for Southampton, but Ramsdale makes a brave block to deny De Ligt from the corner. The defending from Southampton was all over the place again following the set-piece.
There are four minutes of added time and the whistle can’t come soon enough for the hosts.
GOAL! Southampton 0-2 Manchester United (RASHFORD 41’)
13:12 , Jamie Braidwood
Oh that’s a huge goal for Marcus Rashford – his first for Manchester United since March! And it doubles Manchester United’s lead at St Mary’s!
How quickly this match has turned: moments before, Rashford had a shot saved down low by Ramsdale on the break, and the goal came from the corner.
United took it short, worked it to Rashford, and the forward’s low strike from the angle crept inside the post. The defending from Southampton was poor. Rashford was left unmarked.
GOAL! Southampton 0-1 Manchester United (DE LIGT 34’)
13:05 , Jamie Braidwood
A HUGE couple of moments for Manchester United!
Southampton could have been ahead. Instead, Bruno Fernandes swings in a stunning cross from a short corner and finds De Ligt at the back post.
The Dutch centre-back rises and nods a header across goal and into the far corner. His first goal for Manchester United, and just moments after that Cameron Archer miss.
SAVED! Southampton 0-0 Manchester United
13:03 , Jamie Braidwood
33 mins: SAVED! Onana goes the right way and saves down low! Archer gets a chance on the rebound but the header is soft and Onana saves again!
PENALTY! Southampton 0-0 Manchester United
13:01 , Jamie Braidwood
TYLER DIBLING! What an impact from the 18-year-old winger! He beats Dalot with ease around the outside, and is chopped down by the full-back.
But was this inside or outside the box?!
It’s inside! VAR confirms it. Huge chance for Southampton to take the lead.
Cameron Archer will take it.
Southampton 0-0 Manchester United
12:58 , Jamie Braidwood
26 mins: Kobbie Mainoo is the first player in the book after handling the ball on the ground. Fernandes plays a loose pass and Mainoo is caught by Ugochukwu. After falling to the ground, Mainoo gathers the ball with his hands.
Down the other end, Dibling attacks Dalot and wins a free kick near the corner. And it leads to a chance! Ugochukwu is left unmarked, and heads over from eight yards! Big chance.
Southampton 0-0 Manchester United
12:55 , Jamie Braidwood
23 mins: Dalot is struggling at left back, and the rampaging Sugawara is able to cut inside him with ease. The full-back bends a cross towards the back post, and it takes an important clearance from De Ligt to cut out the danger with Archer lurking.
Southampton 0-0 Manchester United
12:52 , Jamie Braidwood
19 mins: It’s end-to-end stuff now at St Mary’s. Walker-Peters wriggles past De Ligt on the byline to set up a chance for Archer, until United clear.
Down the other end, Fernandes makes the break but drags his shot wide on his left foot.
Southampton 0-0 Manchester United
12:46 , Jamie Braidwood
15’ CHANCE! United with their best move of the day – and they should be ahead! Eriksen puts in a clever ball, sliding across the face of goal, and it finds Joshua Zirkzee six yards out! Stretching, Zirkzee makes contact but can’t get enough onto it to trouble Ramsdale, who collects.
Should be 1-0.
Moments later, Mazraoui hits a volley from a cleared corner, but it’s straight at Ramsdale.
Southampton 0-0 Manchester United
12:43 , Jamie Braidwood
12 mins: United can’t get out, or keep the ball. Southampton keep coming, as Walker-Peters feeds a ball into Archer in the box. De Ligt gets over and is forceful in the tackle, but Southampton maintain their attacking momentum.
United need some control.
Southampton 0-0 Manchester United
12:38 , Jamie Braidwood
7 mins: SAVE! Wow! Almost a stunning moment for the 18-year-old Premier League debutant Tyler Dibling! The teenager goes on a run down the right wing, looking confident on his left foot. He cuts inside and bends a shot towards the far post, but Onana saves!
Almost electric. Even that run and shot from Dibling has raised the mood in St Mary’s. The hosts are looking confident.
Southampton 0-0 Manchester United
12:35 , Jamie Braidwood
4 mins:
Southampton 0-0 Manchester United
12:35 , Jamie Braidwood
3 mins: A quiet start, with Rashford looking to make an early inroad down the left wing before he is shut off by Bednarek. Dalot gives the ball away cheaply on the edge of the box but Martinez steps in sharply.
KICK-OFF! Southampton 0-0 Manchester United
12:30 , Jamie Braidwood
Underway at St Mary’s! Southampton are desperate for their first point of the season after three opening defeats, while it’s “must-win” for United too. Erik ten Hag’s side have lost back-to-back games, and the last time they lost three of their first four was in 1986.
Southampton are in their usual red and white stripes while United are in the changed kit of dark blue. It’s a glorious day at St Mary’s.
Manchester United’s record against promoted sides
12:28 , Jamie Braidwood
Manchester United have lost just one of their last 30 Premier League matches against promoted sides, winning 22 and drawing seven.
The defeat came in a 4-1 loss at Watford in November 2021, which was Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s final game in charge before he was sacked…
The players are out and we’re ready for kick-off!
Southampton vs Manchester United TV channel and how to watch
12:25 , Jamie Braidwood
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1. Subscribers will also be able to watch via Discovery+ online and on the app.
If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
Marcus Rashford ‘needs a goal’, says Erik ten Hag
12:18 , Jamie Braidwood
Erik ten Hag on his team selection, speaking to TNT Sports:
On Christian Eriksen: “He’s had a very good preseason. Good performances. He’s earned his start.”
On Manuel Ugarte: “He had just two sessions, not even full sessions. We have to integrate him now.”
On Casemiro: “He can be in next game, the game after next game. He will play, I’m convinced he will play.”
On Marcus Rashford: “He is in a good place but he needs a goal, or an assist. That moment will come.
“He will get a moment, and then he will fly. Once strikers start scoring, they will fly.”
On today: “It’s must-win. Every game is must-win. We will not change our approach today.”
Tyler Dibling ‘deserves to play’ for Southampton, says Russell Martin
12:11 , Jamie Braidwood
Russell Martin on handing 18-year-old Tyler Dibling his Premier League debut against Manchester United:
“Tyler deserved a start before now, to be honest. I think if he was two or three years older he would have played already – so that’s on us.
“Tyler deserves to play, he’s going to be an incredible player. Today we’ll see with how he deals with the atmosphere and starting the game, because it’s very different.”
Southampton vs Manchester United
11:36 , Jamie Braidwood
Southampton have not beaten Manchester United in their last 14 attempts, a winless run that stretches back to a 1-0 win at Old Trafford in January 2016 (Charlie Austin struck an 87th minute winner).
Southampton have not beaten Manchester United at home since August 2003. They surely have to fancy their chances today!
Manchester United team news and line-ups
11:20 , Jamie Braidwood
Casemiro or Ugarte? Neither! A big call from Erik ten Hag as he drops the Brazilian and recalls Christian Eriksen into midfield. Alejandro Garnacho is also on the bench, as Amad Diallo and Marcus Rashford start.
Russell Martin has also made some interesting changes to his team after three defeats. He hands a Premier League debut to 18-year-old Tyler Dibling, and also hands a start to new signing Cameron Archer up front.
Manchester United team news and line-ups
11:17 , Jamie Braidwood
Southampton XI: Ramsdale; Sugawara, Bednarek, Stephens, Walker-Peters; Ugochukwu, Downes, Fernandes, Dibling, Archer, Brereton Díaz.
Man Utd XI: Onana; Mazraoui, de Ligt, Martinez, Dalot; Eriksen, Mainoo; Diallo, Fernandes, Rashford; Zirkzee.
Manchester United team news and line-ups
11:12 , Jamie Braidwood
We’ll have the team news and line-ups from St Mary’s in the next few minutes.
Casemiro or Ugarte?
Southampton vs Manchester United TV channel and how to watch
09:29 , Jamie Braidwood
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting at 11am. Subscribers will also be able to watch via Discovery+ online and on the app.
If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
When is Southampton vs Manchester United?
09:29 , Jamie Braidwood
Southampton vs Manchester United kicks off at 12.30pm BST on Saturday 14 September at St. Mary’s Stadium in Southampton.
Good morning
09:28 , Jamie Braidwood
Manchester United travel down to Southampton in the early kick-off on Saturday as the Premier League returns after the autumn international break.
Erik ten Hag’s side are under plenty of pressure as the league campaign resumes, with the Dutchman’s future called into question after a 3-0 loss to Liverpool last time out.
A convincing win over the Saints would ease some of the pressure on ten Hag, though a loss would likely see him face perhaps the most intense pressure of his tenure to date.
And while the result is the most important thing, the performance will be viewed with almost equal interest among fans and the United hierarchy as questions continue over the Dutchman’s style of play.
Russell Martin is already under some pressure after three straight losses to open the season, though a loss to United is unlikely to be viewed as a deal-breaker this early into the season.
