Rashford scores first goal since March as Man Utd get much-needed win at Southampton

Marcus Rashford scored his first goal since March as Manchester United ran out comfortable winners 3-0 at Southampton.

It could have all been so different as Cameron Archer saw his penalty saved by Andre Onana two minutes before United took the lead through Matthijs de Ligt’s header.

Rashford netted four minutes before the break after Amad Diallo squared the ball to him on the left hand side of the penalty area and he curled home.

United could have easily added to their lead either side of half time with Aaron Ramsdale impressive in the Saints goal, but as the second half wore on they did not appear set to add to their scoreline until Jack Stephens was sent off for a rash challenge on Alejandro Garnacho.

The Argentine then helped his side capitalise on their man advantage, rounding off the scoring in the last minute of injury time when he turned home Diogo Dalot’s low cross to seal United’s second league victory of the season. Southampton remain with a point at the foot of the table.

United showed some resilience in taking control of the match which for the first half-hour or so looked like being a difficult assignment. The way the Saints fell apart thereafter, not having another shot on target and immediately allowing chances at goal which saw them lucky to be only two down at the break, will give little hope to those hoping Russell Martin’s side can stay in the top flight.

United’s worries will be that only three of their starting defenders were able to finish the match though.

De Ligt said afterwards he thought he was only suffering from cramp but with the injury-prone Lisandro Martinez limping off, the impressive Noussair Mazraoui walking gingerly up the tunnel and also Maguire looking especially lumbering as he left the field, after only minor exertion, there will be concern.

They were forced to end the game with Casemiro at centre back and United fans have watched that video nasty before. Fortunately, they have a League Cup game in midweek against Barnsley where they will surely field a young side, before their run of two games a week begin with their Europa League campaign clash against FC Twente on Wednesday week..

Amad Diallo (Manchester United) – He has been involved in all games for United since returning from Sunderland but this might be seen as a breakout match. He may lack the pace of the inverted winger de jour but he more than makes up for this with his accurate through balls which could well have resulted in a more expansive United lead with better finishing from his team-mates.

Southampton: Ramsdale 7; Sugawara 6, Bednarek 7, Stephens 4, Walker-Peters 6; Downes 6, Ugochukwu 6, Dibling 6; Mateus Fernandes 6; Brereton Diaz 5, Archer 5.

Subs: Stewart 6, Lallana 6, Fraser 6, Cornet 6, Harwood-Bellis 6.

Manchester United: Onana 7; Mazraoui 7, De Ligt 7, Martinez 6, Dalot 6; Mainoo 7, Eriksen 6; Diallo 8*, Bruno Fernandes 7, Rashford 7; Zirkzee 6.

Subs: Garnacho 7, Ugarte 6, Maguire 6, Evans 6, Casemiro 6.

31′PENALTY! Crazy challenge from Dalot as he chops down Dibley on the edge of the area.

33′PENALTY SAVED! It took a long time for the referee to blow the whistle and Archer hit a very poor penalty which Onana parried and then comfortably gathered the rebound headed towards goal by Archer.

35′ GOAL! SOUTHAMPTON 0-1 MAN UTD (DE LIGT)! Eriksen hit the corner short to Fernandes who curled in a ball towards the far post which the Dutch centre back powered home low in the net.

40′ RAMSDALE DENIES UNITED A SECOND! Diallo plays a perfect through-ball for the sprinting Rashford in the inside right position but his effort aimed inside the near post is pushed wide by the Saints stopper.

41′ GOAL! SOUTHAMPTON 0-2 MAN UTD (RASHFORD)! A low curling strike from the left edge of the penalty area going in off the post for the forward’s first league goal since March.

61′ RASHFORD WITH CURLING EFFORT FROM EDGE OF BOX! His shot is tipped over on the stetch by Ramsdale.

79′ RED CARD FOR STEPHENS! A stupid tackle with studs on the knee as the winger raced along the touchline.

90+6′ GOAL! SOUTHAMPTON 0-3 MAN UTD (GARNACHO)! A fair reflection of their dominance. Dalot was played in by Garnacho and his low cross is turned high into the net by Garnacho.