Southampton 0-1 Man Utd (Fernandes 55′)
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes fired his under pressure side to victory at Southampton as Erik ten Hag enjoyed his first back-to-back wins as manager.
The visitors, who named an unchanged starting XI after the win over Liverpool last Monday, faced long periods of frustration against a well-organised young Southampton side at St Mary’s but ran out winners thanks to Fernandes’ well-taken strike in the second half.
With Fernandes and Christian Eriksen struggling to see much of the ball, United were forced to play long early on only for the commanding Mohammed Salisu and Armel Bella-Kotchap to deal easily with Marcus Rashford in the air.
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The impressive Bella-Kotchap should have scored his first Southampton goal after finding space at the back post from a James Ward-Prowse corner but fired over with his left foot.
Che Adams, who was beginning to cause problems for United’s defence, then stung the palms of David de Gea with a low shot on the turn.
Erik ten Hag kept faith at half-time and resisted the temptation to introduce Cristiano Ronaldo or Casemiro and was rewarded soon after as Fernandes smashed a low shot into the bottom corner to finish off a neat team move.
Adam Armstrong then found space down the left with a neat dribble to get away from Dalot and his fizzing cross found the head of Joe Aribo, who could should have done better than fire it straight into the palms of De Gea.
Both managers then turned to the bench, with Stuart Armstrong replacing Mohamed Elyounoussi for Southampton and Ronaldo and debutant Casemiro coming on for Jadon Sancho and Anthony Elanga.
Saints substitute Seikou Mara then nearly equalised with an overhead kick in injury time, but United clung on for another big three points.
Southampton player ratings
Gavin Bazunu: Striking contrast with his opposite number given how happy the former City youngster was to sit outside his box and play almost an another outfield player in possession, but also backed that confidence up with a key save from Elanga 7
Kyle Walker-Peters: Dealt well with the lively Sancho and made brave block on line to prevent Fernandes scoring in first half but perhaps could have offered more going forward 7
Armel Bella-Kotchap: Outstanding performance from young centre-back. Read the game superbly to make a number of key interceptions, including a last-gasp diving block to prevent Eriksen from scoring 9
Mohammed Salisu: Commanding display at the back and gave Rashford little joy with United often forced to play long 8
Moussa Djenepo: Playing out of position at left-back, but showed his ball-winning abilities with some eye-catching tackles. Question marks over his positioning for Fernandes goal perhaps understandable 5
James Ward-Prowse: Like watching a game of chess as he battled the similarly silky Eriksen. Often found pockets of space in deep positions and on the right side of midfield, but delivery wasn’t quite up to his usual high standards 6
Romeo Lavia: Calm presence on the ball as Southampton edged the midfield battle in the first half. Won a free-kick after a cheeky nutmeg on McTominay and showed some nice turns away from pressure 7
Joe Aribo: Scatty display from ex-Rangers man. Loose control meant he ceded possession several times when in good areas early on, gave away free-kick in dangerous area and should have done better with header saved by De Gea 4
Mohamed Elyounoussi: Fired in a number of dangerous cross from the right wing but was largely a peripheral figure until replaced by Stuart Armstrong after an hour 5
Adam Armstrong: A number of eye-catching dribbles to move away from pressure and carry ball forward. Didn’t always provide an end product but made an excellent cross to tee up Aribo 7
Che Adams: Given a start after his match-winning double from the bench against Leicester. Made a nuisnace of himself again, darting between and around United’s centre-back pairing but lacked the clinical edge of last week 7
Subs: Stuart Armstrong (6), Lyanco (5), Mara (6), Perraud (5)
Man Utd player ratings
David de Gea: Solid display from United’s stopper after a difficult start to the season, with a couple of regulation saves from Adams and Aribo 6
Diogo Dalot: Got into good attacking areas and if final ball let him down on several occasions in the first half, he more than made up for it in the second by picking out Fernandes for the opener 7
Tyrell Malacia: Tenacious presence at left-back despite majority of Southampton coming down his side. Not afraid of barking instructions at more experienced teammates, only blot on his record was giving ball away to Aribo in dangerous area early on 7
Lisandro Martinez: Diminutive defender targeted by long balls again but read most of them well. Continued his aggressive approach and looks set for a run in the team after being named man of the match 8
Raphael Varane: A relatively quiet game but that will be welcomed by most at United following some of their recent defensive performances. Anticipated well and looked solid in the air 7
Scott McTominay: Dogged performance from midfielder, particularly given pressure on him following arrival of Casemiro. Threw his weight around to ensure United weren’t beaten in the air as Southampton targeted Martinez, perhaps fortunate not to give penalty away when ball struck his arm 7
Christian Eriksen: Spread play really well from deep midfield role when he managed to find space, should really have scored when denied by the sprawling Bella-Kotchap. Quiet second half 6
Bruno Fernandes: Spent long periods without the ball but didn’t let frustration get the better of him and made finish for his goal look far easier than it was 8
Anthony Elanga: Struggled to see much of the ball in the first half with Southampton’s deep-lying defence meaning he couldn’t get in behind, but dropped deep after half time to play key role in Fernandes’ winner 7
Jadon Sancho: Some lively dribbles down the left wing in the first half and moved infield in the second, neat interplay with Elanga helped to set up Fernandes goal. Replaced by Ronaldo with 20 minutes left 7
Marcus Rashford: Struggled to get involved in the game for long periods with Southampton’s well organised midfield forcing United into too many long balls 5
Subs: Cristiano Ronaldo (6), Casemiro (6), Fred (5)
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