Man United 3-1 Southampton – PLAYER RATINGS. Amad Diallo is the hero but who kept United in the game before the Ivorian’s late hat-trick?

Man United were rescued by Amad Diallo as the 22-year-old scored a late hat-trick to turn the tables on Southampton at Old Trafford on Thursday night.

The Premier League’s bottom-placed club stunned the home team when they went ahead just before half-time through a Manuel Ugarte own goal. 

Ruben Amorim’s side were heading for another humiliating defeat before Diallo equalised with just eight-minutes remaining. 

And the Ivorian was the toast of Old Trafford as he struck twice more to seal victory for Man United. 

So, was it a one-man show for Man United or did others stand up? And who was at fault before Diallo’s rescue act? 

Mail Sport’s NATHAN SALT was on hand to cast his eye over both sets of players…  

It was a tough night for Leny Yoro who was given the runaround by Kamaldeen Sulemana

Matthijs de Ligt blocks a shot from Sulemana in a solid performance from the Dutchman

MAN UNITED (4-2-3-1)

ANDRE ONANA 7 – Made two stunning saves in the first half to deny Tyler Dibling and then the follow up by Mateus Nunes. Hard to apportion any blame on him for an own goal flying past him off the back of Manuel Ugarte. Southampton could have put the game to bed without him.

LENY YORO – 4.5

Picked for what was only his third Premier League start this season and he got given the runaround by Kamaldeen Sulemana. Was picked partly because his pace was expected to benefit United in this match-up but he really found it hard to put a lid on Sulemana.

MATTHJIS DE LIGT – 6

Shifted back into the middle of the back three with Harry Maguire dropping out, De Ligt was largely a solid presence and made some key blocks. Had one hairy moment where he hesitated to come for the ball and found himself frantically backtracking to avoid being blown past for pace.

LISANDRO MARTINEZ – 5.5

Was doubling up with Mazraoui to help nullify the threat of Dibling and counted himself fortunate when the Southampton starlet wriggled into the area, only to be denied by Onana. Helped keep the intensity of the game high late on. Booked. 

AMAD DIALLO – 9

A rare bright spot for United on a night devoid of much creativity until he turned the screw. Even on a night where the Ivorian’s decision making in the final third looked to be off initially, he produced three crucial bits of magic on a night his team-mates were well below par. The ace in Amorim’s pack of cards came out the winner once more.

KOBBIE MAINOO- 5

Taken off at half-time after a 45-minute performance which largely passed him by as he lost the midfield battle. Has been much improved in recent weeks but this was an off night for the young midfielder as Southampton’s Lesley Ugochukwu and Joe Aribo had their way with him.

Amad Diallo provided three moments of magic to drag Man United to victory at Old Trafford

MANUEL UGARTE – 5.5

A very frustrating night for the Uruguayan, who has really come into his own in recent weeks. This was a night where everything that seemed to go wrong for him did go wrong as the ball ricocheted off his back to give Southampton the opener. Came off before the hour shaking his head in both frustration and disbelief at the performance.

NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 6

Started at left wing-back in what was his first game in that position since joining the club last summer. Many more experienced players that side have been embarrassed by Tyler Dibling this season but he kept the Southampton starlet honest. It means he’s played in six positions this season (LB, LWB, CB, RB, RWB and No 10).

BRUNO FERNANDES – 6.5

Had an effort cleared off the line late in this contest after he looked to dink one over Aaron Ramsdale. There’s a reason he plays so often and it’s because he never cheats fans for effort. Felt he over-passed on occasion and rushed some of his final balls when chances did arise.

ALEJANDRO GARNACHO- 6

Put a gilt-edged chance wide at 0-0 from a Rasmus Hojlund cutback and the game changed thereafter as Southampton grew in belief. Kept looking to Amorim for reassurance as he adapts to a No 10 role that requires him to stay inside more than he’s used to. Should have had an assist when he teed up Antony who fluffed it from two yards out.

RASMUS HOJLUND – 4

Managed just three touches in the Southampton area during the 54 minutes on the pitch but this was a night where fans let him know he wasn’t where he needed to be quality wise. One long pass into him from Andre Onana saw him draw a loud groan as he took too long to get to the ball. Looked crestfallen when he came off as he knew he was off it.

Manager 

RUBEN AMORIM – 6.5

Struggled to stop pacing up and down his technical area before this one had even begun and so his step count will have been sky high. Was bold in his substitutions but will be mightily frustrated at the application of his players after such highs at Liverpool and Arsenal

SUBSTITUTES 

Antony (for Kobbie Mainoo, 46) – 4

Joshua Zirkzee (for Rasmus Hojlund, 54) – 6

Toby Collyer (for Manuel Ugarte, 54) – 6

Christian Eriksen (for Leny Yoro, 83)

Harry Maguire (for Noussair Mazraoui, 83)