Manchester United ended 2024 in abysmal fashion, breaking all kinds of club records for losses and league position, however 2025 has seen a revitalised fresh start for Amorim’s side, and the draw with Liverpool and penalty victory against Arsenal has turned the mood in and around the club significantly to give a feeling of hope, and determination from recent performances. With the potentially worst Premier League side coming to town on Thursday evening, it gave United a chance to prove they don’t just show up for the big games, and can play with control as Amorim will eventually expect to see from his side under his tenure. With freezing conditions, a fatigued squad and clear expectations for 3 points, United were not only expecting to win, but put on a bit of a show in this one.

The game itself was certainly a mixed bag from a United perspective. With a slow and steady start from the home team, the shift from aggressive defensive and counter attacking play against Liverpool and Arsenal didn’t really translate to the possession based control approach that United were forced into by being the heavy favourite in the game. We’ve seen in the past how United sides post-Ferguson are at their best when on the back foot and not in control of the game, however this new era under Amorim will strive to shift that into a side that controls the game with real threat, and a cutting edge that was lacking in the opening stages of the game. With Southampton smelling blood, they took their chance to open the scoring in the 43rd minute with an Ugarte goal that was certainly deserved and arguably could have been more. With United needing the shock of going behind, the second half led to changes in personnel and a sense of urgency that they did not want to be beaten against this Southampton side. With a bit of good fortune on their side, Amad Diallo stepped up as he has so often already this season to turn the game back in United’s favour with an 82nd, 90th and 94th minute hattrick largely from his own drive and determination (and a terrific Eriksen assist). The first 60-70 minutes disappeared in the space of the last 10 minutes as the score line may feel harsh on Southampton, but the narrative formed for United fans continues this upturn in mood around the club in 2025.

The result still doesn’t do much in terms of league position for United, who go into the weekends action in 12th, but during the TV coverage there were several graphics which at points had United lumped in with a relegation battle, and so the turnaround from a potential 15th placed spot to 12th gives fans some hope, and they will be hoping to claw back into the top half in the upcoming run of games. For Southampton however it’s another gameweek without any more points on the board, and as we get further into the second half of the campaign, the risk of becoming the team to achieve the fewest league points ever in the Premier League, is becoming more and more threatening, despite the impressive first half display.

As always, if you have any thoughts on Manchester United this season or in this specific game, get in touch with us by leaving a comment, following us on Bluesky (@NextGoalWinner) or Instagram (@NextGoalWin) and check out our YouTube channel (@NextGoalWinner).

Teams

Manchester United were able to put out arguably their most promising squad of players at this point, with Amad playing in the wing-back role, Garnacho and Fernandes backing up Hojlund who led the line. United were relying on their bench into the second half as they looked to fight back into the game, bringing in the attacking options of Antony, Zirkzee and later Eriksen who helped kick-start the comeback. While this squad is still missing several pieces, there are some senses of clarity forming in the squad at Amorim’s disposal.

For Southampton, they’re still desperately trying to push back against the tide of relegation as Juric looks to rely on some of the key players within the side for Southampton who can bring either senior experience or a youthful shine that could spark them into life. Tyler Dibbling and Sulemana could have posed an attacking threat, however Dibbling was withdrawn midway through the second half with an injury, and Sulemana was limited and wasteful with his chances.

Manchester United: Onana, Martinez, De Ligt, Yoro (Maguire 83′), Mazraoui (Eriksen 83′), Amad, Ugarte (Collyer 54′), Mainoo (Antony 46′), Garnacho, Fernandes, Hojlund (Zirkzee 53′)

Subs: Bayindir, Kukonki, Malacia, Casemiro

Southampton: Ramsdale, Hardwood-Bellis, Bednarek (Wood 83′), Bree, Walker-Peters, Aribo (Downes 73′), Ugochukwu (Onuachu 83′), Sugawara, Sulemana, Dibling (Smallbone 63′), Fernandes (Armstrong 73′)

Subs: McCarthy, Manning, Lallana, Archer

Manchester United 3-1 Southampton

​Manchester United staged a dramatic late comeback to defeat Southampton 3-1 at Old Trafford on Thursday, thanks to a sensational 12-minute hat-trick from Amad Diallo. Trailing to a 43rd-minute own goal by Manuel Ugarte, United appeared destined for a fourth consecutive home league defeat, an achievement not reached since 1930. However, Diallo’s late heroics salvaged the match, securing a vital three points for Ruben Amorim’s side. ​

Southampton, rooted to the bottom of the Premier League, dominated the first half, with Sulemana and Tyler Dibling posing significant threats. Their pressure culminated in Ugarte’s unfortunate own goal just before halftime. Despite introducing substitutes like Antony and Joshua Zirkzee, United struggled to find rhythm. It wasn’t until the 82nd minute that Diallo capitalized on a deflected shot to equalize. He then volleyed home a sublime pass from Christian Eriksen in the 90th minute and completed his treble in stoppage time after intercepting a loose ball from Taylor Harwood-Bellis. ​

This victory lifted United to 12th place with 26 points, while Southampton remained anchored at the bottom with just six points. Diallo’s performance not only marked his first senior hat-trick but also made him the second-youngest United player to achieve such a feat in the Premier League, behind only Wayne Rooney. Despite the win, questions linger over United’s consistency, as they continue to seek stability under Amorim’s leadership. ​

Talking Points

The first major talking point of this game was of course the hattrick hero Amad Diallo. Diallo delivered a performance of startling maturity and incision, transforming a lifeless Manchester United display into a stirring comeback with a breath-taking 12-minute hat-trick. Introduced with the game slipping away, the Ivorian winger injected urgency and flair into United’s attack, capitalizing on a deflected chance to equalize before showcasing immaculate technique with a crisp volley to seize the lead. His third, a composed finish following a defensive lapse, capped a sensational personal display that not only rescued his side but also underscored his growing stature under Ruben Amorim. On a night where United teetered on the edge of another humiliating defeat, it was Diallo’s clinical edge and cool head that wrote the headlines and perhaps reignited belief in a stuttering season.

The second talking point from the game has to be the fatigue shown from the United squad and in the first half in particular. We saw the huge efforts made in the 120 minute victory against Arsenal on Sunday, and yet this fatigue had still been hanging over a few players in this game. Harry Maguire was one of the stars of the aforementioned game that couldn’t start due to tiredness and a bit of illness, and the likes of Ugarte and Fernandes did seem a little bit quieter in this than in the previous 2 games. It’s understandable for the fatigue of a busy festive period, and huge efforts in the previous 2 fixtures to take its toll, however Amorim will be surely noting this for the pre-season summer preparations to ensure that his squad are at the right level to manage a busy schedule, especially in the midfield where he demands non-stop energy.

Finally, this win although tinged with an element of good luck and a sense of things going United’s way at points, the abysmal record breaking issues of December seem well in the distance as the slightly calmer schedule is giving Amorim more time with his players, they are making some clear off-field decisions regarding players futures, and the high profile games on the pitch have resulted in cohesion from fans to players and staff, which has resulted in a very strong start to 2025. With 3 games unbeaten, progression in the cup, a real fight and determination in the player mentality and a talismanic figure in Amad for fans to get excited about, United now need to ensure this strong start to the year carries them through this arguably nicer period of fixtures in the coming weeks.