Amad Diallo proved to be the hero once again after bagging a hat-trick to guide Manchester United to a 3-1 victory over Southampton on Thursday night.
Premier League
Result: Manchester United 3-1 Southampton
Date: 16 January 2025
Venue: Old Trafford
Ruben Amorim made two changes from the win over Arsenal in the FA Cup as Lenny Yoro replaced Harry Maguire in defence while Alejandro Garnacho came in for the suspended Diogo Dalot.
The Red Devils dominated possession early on, but it was the Saints who carved out the first chance in the 12th minute when Kamaldeen Sulemana did well to cut inside before seeing his low strike turned away by Andre Onana.
The hosts should have taken the lead seven minutes later when Rasmus Hojlund broke free down the left and unselfishly teed up Garnacho, who sent his first-time strike wide of the mark from 12 yards out.
Southampton were livelier of the two sides and it was no surprise when they took the lead two minutes before the break when Mateus Fernandes' corner was deflected in off Manuel Ugarte.
Amorim responded with three changes in the opening ten minutes of the second half, as Antony, Joshua Zirkzee and Toby Collyer replaced Kobbie Mainoo, Hojlund and Ugarte.
Antony could have made the perfect impact just before the hour mark after getting on the end of Garnacho's cross but the Brazilian failed to convert with the goal at his mercy in the six-yard area.
After waves of attack, United got their reward in the 80th minute as Ivory Coast international Amad Diallo fired into the back of the net with a powerful strike after some good work Zirkzee in the build up.
United completed the turnaround in the 90th minute when Diallo combined superbly with Christian Eriksen before volleying home from close range to complete his brace and the comeback win.
The night belonged to Diallo who completed his hat-trick in the 93rd minute by winning the ball off a Saints defender in the box and firing into the back of the net to seal the late comeback win.
As a result, Diallo becomes the first African player to score a hat-trick for the Red Devils.
