It was already 3 consecutive home losses, and in the 42nd minute once again Manchester United were on the back foot in their back yard through a Ugarte own goal.
59th minute, Antony missed an absolute sitter, it couldn’t seem to be going any more wrong for the red shirts. By the 80th minute, the faces of the United home fans told a story of disappointment and despair with some biting at their nails while others prepared to leave the stadium already.
The relegation banter was starting to feel justified, with Manchester United still stuck in 15th place. However, in just 12 electrifying minutes, the atmosphere at Old Trafford shifted dramatically.
The once-disheartened faces of the home crowd transformed into contagious grins, all thanks to rising star Amad Diallo who has just renewed his Manchester United contract for 5 years. His sensational hat-trick not only saved the Red Devils from potential disaster but also reignited hope among the fans.
One fact that remains is that the scoreline probably doesn’t tell the true story of this match. Southampton will definitely feel they deserved a point from this match.
Without the outstanding saves from Andre Onana in the first half, this match could have been a different tale entirely. But this match revealed a problem that continues to exist for Manchester United.
Manchester United’s Achilles’ Heel at Defending Corners
Moments before Manchester United conceded from a corner, the commentator highlighted Southampton’s struggles with set pieces, noting they hadn’t scored from a corner all season – but suggested they just might against a United side notoriously poor at defending them.
Seconds later, Southampton capitalized, making it 10 goals conceded from corners for United this season, tying them with Wolves for the most in the league.
This alarming statistic emphasises the urgent need for United to address their vulnerability, perhaps by hiring a set-piece specialist to overhaul their defensive organization in such situations.
This season, Manchester United has frequently lacked the physical presence needed to effectively defend corners, often appearing vulnerable and easily outmuscled in their own box. This issue isn’t limited to set pieces; it also extends to aerial deliveries from wide areas, further exposing their fragility in dealing with high balls.
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From the Brink of Collapse: A Savior Emerges for Manchester United
How often have we heard, the chant of the name “Amad”? Too often has he been a saviour for his side.
Against Chelsea, he won a crucial penalty that was converted for his side. Against Manchester City, he scored the match-winning goal, and against Liverpool, he earned United a valuable draw.
The season seemed to be unfolding perfectly for Manchester United’s rising star. Then, against Southampton, he stepped up once more, delivering a focused and clinical performance to score his first hat-trick for the club – the first by a United player since Cristiano Ronaldo’s treble in 2022.
For a player who had been on the pitch for the first 80 minutes with little to show, what changed so drastically in the final minutes of the match? The answer lies in Ruben Amorim’s in-game management and tactical substitutions.
The introduction of Antony at the beginning of the second half gave Diallo more freedom. When he began to drift with the ball into the opponent’s defensive third or to the centre of the pitch, Antony often covered the lapses behind him and filled the RWB position relieving him of his defensive duties.
With less role at the back and more freedom upfront, Zirkzee’s inclusion in the 53rd minute brought more spark in the attacking phase, as his connection with Diallo led to the first goal, igniting a clear momentum shift.
Another substitute, Christian Eriksen, showcased his exceptional vision and technique, delivering a perfectly timed pass to Diallo for the winner. The third goal, however, came as a result of Southampton’s own defensive lapse, sealing a remarkable turnaround for Manchester United.
The Ivorian winger’s change in role bore fruit in the final minutes as he had more freedom to take on defenders and make decisive runs into the box. Amorim now has a duty to recognize the position that Amad is most effective in because the role as a RWB evidently stifles his freedom up front.
As it stands, Amad Diallo is now Manchester United’s highest goal scorer of the season with 9 goals and 7 assists in 29 appearances.
Implications of the Manchester United Win
Manchester United finally secured their first 90-minute win in six games. While the victory is a positive step, the excitement should be tempered, considering it came against the league’s bottom-placed team.
However, United have now moved from 15th to 12th and now seem to be climbing towards the top half of the table. Their start to 2025 shows promise, with solid results against Arsenal, Liverpool, and now Southampton.
Momentum seems to be shifting in their favour, reflecting a clear mentality change under Amorim. What remains crucial is consistently delivering tactical execution week in and week out to sustain this upward trajectory.
Up next the Red Devils face Brighton still at their home ground, hoping to carry this momentum to avenge their early defeat against the seagulls.
As for Southampton, they might as well give up all hopes of surviving relegation with just only 6 points in 21 games.