MAN UNITED 3, SOUTHAMPTON 2
Injury-hit Manchester United climbed back in to the Champions League places following a hard-earned home win against Southampton.
Caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made it 10 wins and two draws, 32 points from a possible 36, from his 12 Premier League matches as the Reds moved into the top four ahead of Arsenal and Chelsea.
Embed from Getty ImagesIt seems hard to believe that when Solskjaer took charge in December the Reds were 11 points adrift of the leading four clubs with their season appearing to be going nowhere.
Two goals from Romelu Lukaku and a wonder strike from Andreas Pereira earned the Reds a valuable victory in which they displayed a never-say-die spirit.
Saints were 1-0 ahead and, after falling 2-1 behind, equalised before Lukaku scored an 88th minute winner.
The way United overcame adversity – Solskjaer trailed for the first time in the opening period – was especially pleasing.
He said: “The manner of it was like the old days when I had been part of it myself.
“I am so pleased for the boys and the way they clawed three points. We spoke at half time that we needed more urgency, balls in the box and the Stretford End would suck one in.”
Solskjaer had special praise for academy graduate Pereira and Lukaku.
Of Pereira, he said: “Her has high energy, quality passing, crossing and shooting. He scored a great goal and had an assist so it was a special day for him.
“Lukaku is a quality goalscorer and we need to get him in front of goal more.
“His attitude and work rate is great and he has a smile on his face everyday in training.
“He does extra finishing every day in training and, if you practice, you will score on matchdays. He is quality.”
Saints’ manager Ralph Hasenhuttl was disappointed to lose, believing they deserved to take something from the game. He claimed United’s second goal was offside so it could have been a different scoreline.
Marcus Rashford returned after injury to replace Diogo Dalot, one of two changes from the side that won 3-1 at Crystal Palace in midweek.
The other change saw Pereira preferred in midfield to Fred.
United were still ravaged by injury with Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard, Ander Herrera, Sergio Romero, Phil Jones, Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic, Antonio Valencia and Matteo Darmian all missing.
Saints, battling to avoid relegation, were buoyed by their vital midweek win at home to Fulham.
They also arrived at Old Trafford having lost only once in five visits since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.
Lukaku would given United the lead little more than two minutes into the game, but keeper Angus Gunn produced a stunning save low to his left.
Gunn was twice more called into action in the opening minutes as he turned over a cross from Pereira and then blocked a close-range shot from Lukaku as the Reds dominated the opening exchanges.
Saints had a penalty appealed rejected after Chris Smalling appeared to pull Ryan Bertrand’s shirt, but the left-back’s theatrical fall didn’t help his cause.
After weathering an early storm, Saints became more of a threat and took the lead in the 26th minute through Valery.
Charlie Austin sprayed a crossfield pass to Valery and the 20-year-old French/Tunisian midfielder powered an unstoppable shot from 25 yards into the top corner.
It was proving a frustrating afternoon for United as a series of decent crosses eluded players in front of goal as the margins between success and failure were incredibly fine.
United were forced to make a change early in the second half when Alexis Sanchez went off with a knee injury after appearing to jar the joint following a block tackle by Jan Bednarek.
Sanchez was replaced by Dalot who made an immediate impact.
He delivered a delightful cross that Rashford headed wide from at the far post.
Dalot then made a dart forward before passing to Pereira who took several strides before finding the net with a screamer from 25 yards into the roof of the net, his first Premier League goal.
And Pereira turned provider just short of the hour when he straddled a tackle before setting up Lukaku who cut in from the left before coolly slotting a shot low to the left to Gunn.
Dalot was certainly making an impact as he went close to adding a third goal for United when his 30-yard drive flew narrowly wide. That was soon followed by an effort that dipped just over the crossbar.
Saints were not beaten and the made it 2-2 in the 75th minute when Ward-Prowse equalised with a stunning free kick from 25 yards over the defensive wall and into tbe top corner beyond David De Gea’s despairing dive.
The free kick was conceded by Ashley Young for a high challenge on Saints’ substitute Stuart Armstrong.
United made a second change in the 82nd minute when Pereira made way for Brazilian Fred.
The Reds had to dig deep for a winner which came in the 88th minute when Lukaku scored again.
Fred and Luke Shaw had a neat inter-change of passes before setting up Lukaku who bent home a shot low to the left of Gunn from outside the box.
United had the chance to add a fourth goal when they won a penalty in the third of five added minutes when Armstrong fouled Rashford from behind.
Pogba failed to score from the spot, Gunn saving well with his legs.
United made their last change in the final minute of added time when Rashford was replaced by Tahith Chong for his first Premier League appearance as they comfortably saw out the closing stages.