Fernandes strikes as Man United defeat Southampton

Manchester United continued their improved start to the Premier League season as Bruno Fernandes provided a tidy finish to help Erik ten Hag’s side to a 1-0 win over Southampton at St. Mary’s Stadium on Saturday.

After both sides proved wasteful in front of goal in the first half, Fernandes netted the only goal of the game in the 55th minute as he connected well with Diogo Dalot’s cross to volley into the bottom left corner.

The victory, United’s second on the bounce, halted their seven-match losing streak on the road stretching back to last season and provisionally lifted them to sixth place after four games.

It also marks the first time the club has won back-to-back league matches since February.

“We knew it playing against Southampton, it is not easy. We have experienced that already, sometimes you have to suffer. Every game is tough. Well done to us, massive three points for us. Now we have to carry on,” Fernandes said after the match.

“It’s important because one win or two wins don’t make the league. After Liverpool everyone could feel it. We set the standard so we have to carry on now and if we can, improve it.

“We did two or three seasons ago not losing from home, but we want to win every game that’s what it’s about to play for Manchester United.”

Cristiano Ronaldo started on the bench again for United, coming on in the 68th minute to replace Jadon Sancho, while new signing Casemiro made his debut after completing his move to the club on Tuesday.

United manager ten Hag said his side could have created more chances at the start of the game but that he is happy with their overall performance.

“I think the players learnt some lessons from Brentford. We were more compact on the long balls. Of course we were really happy. The goal we created, we could have made more,” Ten Hag said.

“I think it was the best part of us, we kept control straight after half time. We moved it around and we created three really good chances straight after half time and that is how I want us to play.

“I still feel there is room for improvement, to control more, but we are not that long in our way. We can improve that is clear.”

With an unchanged lineup after their 2-1 win against Liverpool, United should have gone ahead in the 19th minute but were denied by Gavin Bazunu and Armel Bella-Kotchap, who kept out Anthony Elanga and Christian Eriksen from close range.

Despite dominating the ball in the second half, the hosts were unable to find an equaliser as chances from Che Adams and Joe Aribo were kept out by United keeper David de Gea.

Southampton’s best chance of the match came in the dying minutes as Sékou Mara’s bicycle kick was cleared off the line by Dalot.

Speaking after the game, Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl expressed pride in his side’s performance on Saturday.

“I’m very proud of what the guys did today. They did a really good job from the first minute. We had good moments and chances, we really stretched them. We deserved more but sometimes football is like this,” Hasenhuttl said.

“I’m not scared with this team because they really fight for our targets and this is good to see.”

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