After 2 losses in 3 games to start the season, any optimism has turned to crisis as United look to salvage anything from the start they’ve made. With a perfect opponent in the form of newly promoted Southampton who seem to be the leagues whipping-boys, it gave Ten Hag’s side a great chance to put their previous performances behind them and build some momentum.

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Teams

United continue to rotate their attack and defence, with form and injuries continuing to be an issue. The forward line is something Ten Hag is looking to find the perfect combination with, and with De Ligt picking up a knock at the end of the game, it could be yet more switching and changing to come in the back line.

For Southampton, they’ve blended their Championship squad with some strong Premier League experience, with Ramsdale and Lallana both featuring, and as former rivals of United, it adds an extra element of joy to the win.

Southampton: Ramsdale, Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Stephens, Sugawara, Ugochukwu (Fraser 64′), Downes, Brereton Diaz (Cornet 64′), Fernandes (Harwood-Bellis 81′), Dibling (Lallana 63′), Archer (Stewart 62′)

Subs: McCarthy, Taylor, Aribo, Armstrong

Manchester United: Onana, Dalot, Martinez (Evans 77′), De Ligt (Casemiro 87′), Mazraoui (Maguire 74′), Eriksen (Ugarte 73′), Mainoo, Rashford (Garnacho 73′), Fernandes, Amad, Zirkzee

Subs: Bayindir, Collyer, Antony, Wheatley

Southampton 0-3 Manchester United

Manchester United produced a commanding performance at St. Mary’s, cruising to a 3–0 win over Southampton. The breakthrough came just before half-time when Bruno Fernandes delivered a precise corner that Matthijs de Ligt met with a powerful header to give the visitors the lead. The momentum swung further in United’s favour shortly after, as Marcus Rashford curled a superb strike from the edge of the box into the far corner, doubling the advantage and putting Southampton on the back foot.

The second half saw United dominate possession and control the pace of the game. Southampton’s keeper made a few important saves, particularly from Rashford, but the hosts struggled to create clear-cut chances. The match took a further turn in United’s favour in the 79th minute when Southampton captain Jack Stephens was shown a red card for a high challenge on Alejandro Garnacho, leaving the home side down to ten men and struggling to mount a comeback.

In stoppage time, United wrapped up the win with a third goal. Alejandro Garnacho was played in by Diogo Dalot and slotted home from close range to seal a comfortable 3–0 victory. The win marked a solid start to the campaign for Manchester United and highlighted their attacking depth and defensive resilience, leaving Southampton with plenty to ponder as they regroup for their next fixtures.

Talking Points

Manchester United looked dominant from the first whistle at St. Mary’s, controlling possession and dictating the tempo throughout the match. Bruno Fernandes’ expertly delivered corner found Matthijs de Ligt for the opening goal, and Marcus Rashford added a second with a beautifully curled strike, putting the Saints under constant pressure. The visitors’ organization at the back, led by André Onana in goal, ensured that Southampton rarely threatened, and Alejandro Garnacho’s late finish sealed a comprehensive 3–0 win.

This victory means United now have two wins from their first four Premier League games, a start that reflects both promise and inconsistency. While they showed flashes of attacking brilliance and defensive solidity against Southampton, the early-season results highlight the need for more consistency if they are to challenge at the top of the table. Still, taking maximum points from St. Mary’s is a positive step in the right direction.

Perhaps most importantly, this was a much-needed performance after two successive defeats. Following losses that had put pressure on Erik ten Hag and his squad, the emphatic win over Southampton offered a confidence boost and a reminder of the team’s quality when firing on all cylinders. It demonstrated that United can respond to setbacks, providing momentum as they look ahead to the upcoming fixtures.