Manchester United staged a dramatic second-half comeback to defeat Southampton 3-1 at Old Trafford.
Amad Diallo stole the headlines by scoring a sensational hat-trick. The young winger’s clinical finishing in the final 10 minutes turned the tide for the hosts after a poor first half left them trailing.
Southampton began brightly and deservedly took the lead in the 43rd minute.
Mateus Fernandes’ dangerous corner was flicked on by Tyler Dibling, and Manuel Ugarte could only deflect the ball into his own net under pressure.
The visitors had dominated much of the first half, with Andre Onana pulling off key saves to deny Dibling and Fernandes, ultimately keeping United in the contest.
Alejandro Garnacho missed a golden chance, side-footing wide after being teed up by Rasmus Hojlund, and Antony squandered a sitter shortly after the break, sliding an effort tamely into Aaron Ramsdale’s hands.
But it was Diallo who was the man to deliver, levelling the scores in the 82nd minute.
After a clever pass from substitute Joshua Zirkzee, the Ivorian’s initial shot was blocked, but he buried the rebound into the bottom corner with a composed finish.
The momentum then shifted completely in United’s favour, and Diallo struck again in the 90th minute to give his side the lead.
His surging run and clever interplay with Christian Eriksen saw him latch onto a delightful clipped ball from the Dane, stretching to guide a sublime finish past Ramsdale.
Old Trafford erupted as Diallo celebrated what appeared to be the winning goal.
Southampton pressed forward in stoppage time, hoping to salvage a point.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis came close from a corner, but his header struck team-mate Flynn Downes and went wide.
Then, in the dying moments, it was game over. Ramsdale’s poorly executed pass put Harwood-Bellis under pressure, and Diallo pounced to intercept, slotting into an empty net to seal his hat-trick and the victory.
It was a statement performance from Diallo, who showed maturity and composure in a game where United desperately needed inspiration.
While Eriksen and Zirkzee’s introductions added creativity and presence, it was the young winger’s clinical finishing and relentless energy that turned the game on its head.
