Manchester United Triumph Over Southampton in a 3-0 Victory: De Ligt and Rashford Shine
In a convincing Premier League performance, Manchester United secured a 3-0 victory over Southampton at St. Mary’s Stadium on Saturday.
New signing Matthijs de Ligt netted his first goal for the club, while Marcus Rashford ended a six-month goal drought, helping the Red Devils climb up the table.
Alejandro Garnacho added a late goal, sealing the win for Erik ten Hag’s side, who now have six points from their first four matches.
De Ligt Breaks the Deadlock
Summer signing Matthijs de Ligt made an immediate impact in the match, grabbing his debut goal in a Manchester United shirt.
The Dutch defender powered a header past Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale after Bruno Fernandes delivered a perfect cross from a short corner routine.
This goal provided United with a vital breakthrough, easing the pressure after their back-to-back defeats in previous matches.
Rashford Finds the Net Again
Marcus Rashford, who had been struggling for form, rediscovered his scoring touch, doubling United’s lead just before halftime.
The England international curled a low shot into the bottom corner, marking his first competitive goal since March.
Read Also: Ten Hag Reveals Reason For Dropping Casemiro And Garnacho
The relief was clear as Rashford celebrated, and his goal added much-needed confidence to both himself and the team.
Southampton’s Struggles Continue
Despite showing moments of promise, Southampton were unable to capitalize on their chances.
The Saints had a golden opportunity to equalize when a penalty was awarded after Dibling drew a foul from Diogo Dalot.
However, the delay in taking the penalty seemed to rattle Archer, whose spot-kick was saved by United goalkeeper André Onana.
Archer’s subsequent header from the rebound was also safely collected by Onana, keeping United’s lead intact.
Southampton’s misery deepened in the 79th minute when Jack Stephens received a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Garnacho.
The sending-off dashed any hopes of a comeback for the Saints, leaving them vulnerable for the remainder of the match.
Garnacho Seals the Win
Alejandro Garnacho added the final touch to United’s dominant performance in stoppage time.
After a neat cutback from Dalot, Garnacho calmly slotted the ball home, cementing Manchester United’s second win of the season and putting them on the path to recovery after a shaky start.
Man United on the Rise, Southampton Still Searching.
This victory lifts Manchester United out of the lower reaches of the table, with Erik ten Hag’s men beginning to show glimpses of their potential.
On the other hand, Southampton remain rooted to the bottom, having yet to earn a point in their return to the Premier League.
Their missed penalty and Jack Stephens’ red card exemplify the challenges they face in adapting to the top-flight demands.
As Manchester United look forward to building on this momentum, Southampton must regroup and find solutions if they are to avoid an early relegation battle.
