Manchester (UK) – In a dazzling display of skill and determination, Amad Diallo scored a remarkable hat-trick in just 12 minutes, guiding Manchester United to a 3-1 victory over a struggling Southampton at Old Trafford on Thursday evening.
Ruben Amorim’s men looked destined to suffer a fourth consecutive league defeat until the Ivorian winger radically changed the course of the match. Diallo equalized in the 82nd minute before striking again just eight minutes later, capping his performance with a third goal in stoppage time.
The turnaround was a major blow for the Saints, who are desperately trying to avoid the ignominy of finishing the season as the worst team in Premier League history. Southampton had taken the lead through an unfortunate Manuel Ugarte own goal just before the end of the first half and came close on several occasions to extending their lead.
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Having enjoyed an encouraging FA Cup win over Arsenal just days before, United were looking to silence the critics who have been vocal after three consecutive league defeats, highlighting the huge rebuilding task facing their new manager, Amorim.
The visitors started well, with Kamaldeen Sulemana testing United goalkeeper Andre Onana early on, forcing the latter to make a superb save after entering the box. United should have taken the lead in the 20th minute, however, when a promising move down the left ended with a missed shot from Alejandro Garnacho, who sent his shot wide after receiving a pass from Rasmus Hojlund.
Despite having accumulated just one league victory this season, Southampton played with verve and confidence. Onana displayed quick reflexes with an incredible double save, first pushing away Tyler Dibling’s shot with an outstretched hand and then preventing Mateus Fernandes from scoring from close range.
-The visitors finally found the net in the 43rd minute, taking advantage of a defensive error by United on a corner. Matheus Fernandes delivered a tantalizing ball which Dibling deflected at the near post, with Ugarte, in an unfortunate setback, deflecting it into his own goal.
Amorim grabbed the headlines at half-time when he replaced the ineffective Antony with Kobbie Mainoo. Ghanaian winger Sulemana continued to torment United’s right wing, launching another promising run, but was stopped by a desperate block from Matthijs de Ligt.
After further changes made by Amorim, including replacing Ugarte and Hojlund with Toby Collyer and Joshua Zirkzee, United stepped up the pressure. Sulemana raced down the wing again, sending a shot painfully wide of the post.
Antony then wasted a golden opportunity just before the hour mark, failing to convert a cross from Garnacho. However, United finally managed to break through in the 82nd minute when Zirkzee played the ball to Amad, who charged into the penalty area. After his first shot was blocked, he made no mistake with his second try, hitting the ball into the back of Aaron Ramsdale’s net to equalize.
But Diallo had even more to offer the Old Trafford supporters. Eight minutes later he latched on to a clever pass from substitute Christian Eriksen and took advantage of a defensive blindside to complete his hat-trick and secure three crucial points for United.
The dramatic victory sees Manchester United climb to 12th in the Premier League table, while Southampton remain deep in the relegation zone, now 10 points behind safety.
