MY ACCOUNT
Bruno Fernandes’ second-half strike helped Manchester United beat Southampton 1-0 and record their second Premier League win of the season.
Both sides failed to break the deadlock in the first half despite a number of presentable chances, with both Gavin Bazunu and David de Gea called into action in the first 45 minutes.
Early into the second period, however, United took the lead, as Fernandes volleyed Diogo Dalot’s right-wing cross into the bottom corner.
The Saints pushed for an equaliser but the Red Devils — boosted by Casemiro, who made his debut off the bench — held out for the three points.
United goalscorer Fernandes urged his team-mates to channel the momentum of their victory into their upcoming games.
He said: “We knew playing against Southampton is not easy. We have experienced that already.
“Sometimes you have to suffer. Every game is tough. Well done to us. Massive three points for us. Now we have to carry on.
“It’s important because one win or two wins don’t make the league. We have to carry on this sacrifice for the rest of the season. It is what this club demands. After Liverpool everyone could feel it. We set the standard so we have to carry on now and if we can, improve it.
“It was a great ball [for the goal], even great play from behind. Everything was perfect. Someone runs, someone gets the space behind. We did it well, so well done to everyone — not just me.
“We did two or three seasons ago not losing [away] from home but we want to win every game — that’s what it’s about to play for Manchester United.”
Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl, meanwhile, lamented his side’s inability to score despite producing a performance to be proud of.
He said: “I’m very proud of what the guys did today. They did a really good job from the first minute. We had good moments and chances, we really stretched them. We deserved more but sometimes football is like this.
“We had very good moments and a lot of good chances in the box. They had two shots on target in the second half. I felt we were always dangerous. Every set piece was dangerous and we were really stretching them, but the ball didn’t want to go in.
“I’m not scared with this team because they really fight for our targets and this is good to see.
Did you know?
This is United’s first Premier League win away from home since February, having lost their previous seven such games in a row before beating Southampton.
It is also the first time since February that United have won successive league games, winning just two of their last 11 in the competition before this (two draws, seven defeats).
Southampton are winless in their last 12 home Premier League matches against United (five draws, seven defeats) since winning 1-0 back in August 2003.
Southampton have kept just one clean sheet in their last 16 Premier League matches, shipping 38 goals in that time.
Only Mohamed Salah (54), Harry Kane (49) and Son Heung-Min (45) have more Premier League goals than Fernandes (37) since his debut in February 2020.
Hasenhuttl has never beaten United in the Premier League with Southampton (four draws, four defeats). They are one of only two sides he’s faced in the competition without winning, along with Cardiff.
