Southampton v Man Utd LIVE: Marcus Rashford scores in comfortable win to lift pressure on Erik ten Hag
Southampton 0-3 Manchester United: Matthijs de Ligt and Rashford struck twice in eight minutes for the visitors after Cameron Archer’s penalty was saved by Andre Onana
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 0-2 Manchester United
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’)
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’)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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.
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