In a much-needed boost for manager Erik ten Hag, Manchester United secured a comfortable 3-0 victory against Southampton on September 14, 2024. The win came after a challenging start to the season, where the team faced back-to-back defeats and pressure following an eighth-place finish last year [7fe54522].
The match saw goals from Matthijs de Ligt, Marcus Rashford, and Alejandro Garnacho. Notably, Rashford's goal marked his first in six months, providing a significant morale boost for the player and the team [7fe54522]. The game was pivotal for United, lifting them to eighth place in the Premier League standings, while Southampton remained without a point after four games [7fe54522].
A key moment in the match occurred when United's goalkeeper Andre Onana saved a penalty from Cameron Archer while the score was still 0-0, maintaining United's momentum. Southampton's struggles were compounded when their captain, Jack Stephens, was sent off in the 79th minute, leaving the team with ten men [7fe54522].
This victory not only eases the pressure on ten Hag but also showcases Manchester United's potential to bounce back in the league. The team will look to build on this success as they aim for a stronger season ahead [7fe54522].