Amad Diallo took home the match ball after his late hat-trick (Image: Getty)
proved the saviour for once again as they came from behind to snatch a late win against basement club Southampton.
Having come close on multiple occasions, the away side finally took the lead midway through the first half when United midfielder Manuel Ugarte deflected a Southampton corner beyond Andre Onana in the United goal.
An underwhelming United huffed and puffed, but managed to draw level 10 minutes from time when Diallo finished off a driving run with a classy finish inside the box.
Diallo, who continues to write his own scripts this season, popped up once again in the 90th minute to steer home Christian Eriksen’s dinked pass and send Old Trafford into raptures.
The 22-year-old completed his hat-trick deep into added time by capitalising on a mistake from Taylor Harwood-Bellis and tapping into an empty net to secure a much-needed three points for the Red Devils.
Express Sport rates and slates the players after their late 3-1 win…
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Andre Onana – 8/10
Was almost left ruing the mistakes of his team-mates after another impressive showing between the sticks. He pulled off a stunning double save in the first half just before Saints opened the scoring and almost scrambled the Ugarte own-goal off the line.
Noussair Mazraoui – 5/10
One of United’s better summer signings, but this is unlikely to go down as his best performance in a red shirt. Southampton had plenty of joy down the flanks throughout the contest.
Leny Yoro – 4/10
Has plenty of time on his side, but the teenager struggled throughout the match and got torn to shreds by Kamaldeen Sulemana in particular.
– 6/10
Typically comfortable on the ball but had a couple of hairy moments in the first half. It’s clear he – and his defensive team-mates – are still figuring things out in Amorim’s back-three but got the crowd up late on with a big tackle deep in Southampton’s half.
Lisandro Martinez – 5/10
If he wasn’t chasing Southampton attackers back towards his own goal, the Argentine was attempting to hack them down (often without much success). Looks much more comfortable next to Harry Maguire.
Leny Yoro struggled against Kamaldeen Sulemana (Image: Getty)
Amad Diallo – 9/10
Time and time and time again United are bailed out by Amad Diallo. He might’ve been a touch fortunate with the rebound for the equaliser, but the youngster kept his composure and steered home at the second time of asking. That contract extension could just prove the best thing to come out of the season for United.
Manuel Ugarte – 4/10
Torn to shreds by a Southampton midfield who have struggled all season. Spent most of the first half chasing shadows and couldn’t sort his positioning out for the cross that led to Southampton’s opener. Hooked early on in the second half and had a face like thunder as he trundled off the pitch.
Kobbie Mainoo – 4/10
The first casualty from United’s starting XI, as he was taken off at half-time with the visitors 1-0 up. His talent is clear for all to see, but he just doesn’t look suited to how Amorim wants his midfield to play.
– 6/10
The only livewire in the final third for United, who, if not for a stunning save from Aaron Ramsdale, might’ve found an equaliser 10 minutes from time.
Alejandro Garnacho – 5/10
Served up a contender for miss of the season with the score still at 0-0, having skewed ‘s cutback well wide of the far post. Had the chance to show his class against the ‘s basement club but failed miserably.
Rasmus Hojlund failed to impact the game but could’ve had a first-half assist (Image: Getty)
– 5/10
The fear when penned his big-money move from Atalanta to United at the start of the 2023/24 season was his lack of experience would see him struggle in the . A little over 12 months and just 12 league goals later, those concerns appear to be materialising. Could’ve had an assist though had Garnacho’s shot been better.
Subs:
Antony – 4/10
Brought on for Mainoo at half-time and almost made an immediate impact when Garnacho put a cross on a plate for him at the back post. Remarkably, the ball ended up going the opposite way.
Joshua Zirkzee – 7/10
Had a hand in changing the direction of the game when he came off the bench. Looked much more mobile up front than Hojlund and made himself available for passes from the midfield. His decision-making once again was left to be desired, but another positive stop on the Joshua Zirkzee redemption tour.
Toby Collyer – 6/10
Says a lot when a 21-year-old academy product is coming off the bench to show up the multi-million-pound superstars yet again. Not the perfect performance from the youngster, but he was at least trying the right things and brought United more control.
Harry Maguire – 6/10
Solid and dependable off the bench. Did what his defensive team-mates couldn’t by shutting down attacks from a team that’s scored just six away goals all season.
Christian Eriksen – 7/10
Provided a stunning chipped assist for the Diallo winner. Might not have it left in him to be a regular starter but he’s still got plenty of class.