Matthijs de Ligt and Marcus Rashford scored shortly after Andre Onana’s penalty save, leading Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United to a crucial 3-0 win over newly promoted Southampton.
Both teams entered the match needing a positive result, with Southampton searching for their first Premier League point since returning, and United looking to recover from a humiliating loss to Liverpool.
Southampton started well but crumbled after Onana saved Cameron Archer’s weak penalty. De Ligt’s first United goal and Rashford’s first of the season left Southampton reeling.
Alejandro Garnacho added a late goal, easing some pressure on Ten Hag, who was under scrutiny following consecutive losses. United avoided their first defeat at St Mary’s since 2003.
The game turned when De Ligt scored two minutes after Onana’s save, and soon after, Rashford capitalized on poor defending by Archer to double the lead.
This decisive period before halftime swung the game in United’s favor. Southampton’s captain Jack Stephens received a late red card for a foul on Garnacho, who scored in stoppage time.
Saints manager Russell Martin made four changes, including bringing in homegrown talent Tyler Dibling. The 18-year-old made an early impact, skipping past Diogo Dalot and forcing a save from Onana.
Southampton looked lively, while United took time to settle, with Joshua Zirkzee coming close only to be denied by Saints debutant Aaron Ramsdale.
Both Noussair Mazraoui and Bruno Fernandes had chances as Amad Diallo impressed. De Ligt blocked a dangerous Yuki Sugawara cross as the open match continued.
Lesley Ugochukwu missed a free header before Saints were awarded a penalty after Dalot fouled the energetic Dibling. Following a VAR check, Archer’s 33rd-minute penalty was saved by Onana, and his weak follow-up header was also stopped.
This was a major turning point, as United quickly capitalized. Ramsdale saved a Zirkzee shot but couldn’t prevent De Ligt from heading home Fernandes’ cross from the resulting corner.
Southampton lost their composure, conceding again in the 41st minute. Ramsdale initially denied Rashford on a counter-attack, but after another corner, Diallo set up Rashford, who curled a 20-yard shot past Ramsdale.
United continued to press after halftime. Ramsdale made another great save, tipping over Rashford’s curling effort in the 60th minute. Martin made four substitutions to change the momentum, but Ten Hag responded with three of his own, including debutant Manuel Ugarte.
Any hope of a Southampton comeback faded when Stephens received a straight red card for a challenge on Garnacho in the 79th minute. Fernandes shot wide, and Taylor Harwood-Bellis blocked a Zirkzee attempt before Garnacho sealed the victory with a stoppage-time goal.
