Monday, February 10, 2025
HomePremier LeagueAmad show in the final phase: ManUnited escape embarrassment against Southampton

Amad show in the final phase: ManUnited escape embarrassment against Southampton

Manchester United had a tough time against bottom-of-the-league Southampton for a long time, but in the end the Red Devils were still able to celebrate. Amad scored a hat-trick in the space of twelve minutes.

After drawing 2-2 at league leaders Liverpool, ManUnited followed that up with a win in the FA Cup at Arsenal. With Diogo Dalot having picked up a second yellow card in London, coach Ruben Amorim replaced him with Amad. Onana and Yoro started in place of cup keeper Bayindir and Maguire (both on the bench). Amorim again left out Rashford, who could leave the club in the winter.

The visitors from Southampton had at least ended their 11-game winless streak in all competitions with a 3-0 FA Cup win over Swansea City. Compared to that game, Sugawara came into the starting lineup for Ivan Juric’s side, replacing Manning (bench).

Saints start boldly

Anyone expecting a defensively-oriented bottom-of-the-table Southampton at Old Trafford was mistaken early on. The Saints exuded an unexpectedly high level of confidence and, through the lightning-fast Sulemana, immediately created the first big chance of the game (12′).

A lively back-and-forth was to follow, during which Garnacho let the lead go in favor of the Red Devils. After an unselfish cross from Höjlund, the Argentine shot wide of the goal on the right (20′). So it remained a goalless draw for the time being, which Onana had initially maintained with an outstanding double save in the 28th minute.

Ugarte’s back puts Southampton in front

The visitors continued to enjoy themselves offensively – and ultimately benefited from United’s major weakness in defending opposing standards. Dibling extended a corner kick with his head, so that the ball rebounded off Ugarte’s back over the goal line (43rd). The Red Devils’ tenth goal from a corner in this Premier League season also meant the score was 1-0 at half-time.

Amorim drew his conclusions from the weak first half, bringing Antony on for Mainoo at the restart. Since there was no immediate improvement in performance, Zirkzee and Collyer were brought on for Höjlund and Ugarte just seven minutes later.

Sub Antony misses the open goal

United’s substitutes weren’t immediately effective, but in the 59th minute, one of the three finally had an almost 100% chance of equalizing. Garnacho found Antony, who only had to slide the ball in at the second post – and he miserably missed. Instead of over the goal line, the Brazilian steered the ball into the arms of the already beaten Ramsdale (59′).

The Saints mostly limited themselves to playing against the ball in the final phase of the game, but occasionally made offensive and relieving pinpricks, particularly through the nimble Sulemana. Even after the 79th minute, when Ramsdale saved from close range against Bruno Fernandes, the visitors were still dreaming of their second win of the season.

Amad unstoppable in the final stages

But Southampton had not taken the player of the match into account: Amad. After the 22-year-old had first beaten Ramsdale from close range (82nd), he scored artistically eight minutes later – on a wonderful assist from substitute Eriksen – to make it 2-1. The right winger then made sure of the final score by clinically exploiting a momentous mistake by Harwood-Bellis (90+4).

In view of the improved and superior performance after the break, the Red Devils’ victory was ultimately fully deserved. Whether the record champions can also win three times in a row will be seen on Sunday, when they host Brighton at Old Trafford (3 p.m.). The Saints were guests at the high-flying team from Nottingham at the same time.

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