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| Adam Armstrong of Southampton is challenged by Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Manchester United at Friends Provident St. Mary’s Stadium on August 27, 2022 in Southampton, England. |
Manchester United´s stand-in captain Bruno Fernandes
made it back-to-back wins for Erik ten Hag´s team by scoring the only goal in a
1-0 victory over Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday.
Wearing the captain´s armband in place of the
still-benched Harry Maguire, Fernandes steered in a cross from Diogo Dalot in
the 55th minute as United followed up Monday´s win over Liverpool with another
morale-boosting performance.
Having started the season with two straight losses –
including a 4-0 drubbing at Brentford – United has now won consecutive league
matches for the first time since February.
It was also the team´s first clean sheet of the
season, thanks in part to David de Gea´s reflex save to keep out a header from
Joe Aribo in the 66th.
It’s a result that will give a bit more breathing
space to Ten Hag, the Dutch manager who faced a torrent of criticism and
skepticism after the team´s dismal start to the campaign.
Ten Hag´s decisions to leave Maguire and star
forward Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench were vindicated once again, with
center-back pairing Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane looking solid in
defense.
United did struggle to create quality chances in the
first half, although Ten Hag was shaking his head in disbelief that his team
didn´t go ahead in the 20th minute when they had three shots on goal from close
range in the span of a few seconds.
Anthony Elanga´s effort from a tight angle was saved
by goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu before Fernandes and Christian Eriksen both had
their follow-up shots blocked by diving defenders.
Southampton had its best first-half chance on the
half-hour mark when a corner fell to Armel Bella-Kotchap at the back post, but
he lifted it over the crossbar.
United started stronger in the second half and got
the goal after a well-worked move down the right flank. Dalot lifted a cross
into the area and Fernandes was on hand to sidefoot it inside the far post.
Ronaldo and United’s new signing Casemiro – the
Portugal star’s former teammate at Real Madrid – both came on in the second
half.
Substitute Sekou Mara had two chances to equalize
for Southampton in injury time, but his spectacular overhead kick was blocked
by Dalot and he sidefooted another effort wide of the post a minute later.
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