Man United 3-1 Southampton – PLAYER RATINGS: Amad Diallo is the ace

Man United were saved by Amad Diallo as the 22-year-old scored a late hat-trick to turn the tables against Southampton at Old Trafford on Thursday evening.

The club, who are at the bottom of the Premier League, surprised the home team when they took the lead just before half-time through Manuel Ugarte's own goal.

Ruben Amorim's side were heading for another humiliating defeat before Diallo equalized with eight minutes to go.

And the Ivorian was the toast of Old Trafford as he struck twice more to seal victory for Man United.

So was it a one-man show for Man United or did others step up? And who was to blame before Diallo's rescue?

Mail Sport's NATHAN SALT was on hand to take his look at both sets of players…

MAN UNITED (4-2-3-1)

ANDRE ONANA 7 – Made two stunning saves in the first half to deny Tyler Dibling and then follow-up from Mateus Nunes. Hard to blame him for an own goal that flew past him off the back of Manuel Ugarte. Southampton could have put the game to bed without him.

LENY YORO -4.5

He was picked for what was only his third Premier League start this season and was put in charge by Kamaldeen Sulemana. Was selected partly because his pace was expected to benefit United in this match, but he really found it difficult to contain Sulemana.

MATTHJIS DE LIGT-6

De Ligt returned to the center of the back three and Harry Maguire dropped out. De Ligt was a solid presence for the most part and made some important blocks. There was a hairy moment when he hesitated to get in front of the ball and found himself frantically backing away to avoid being blown past him due to the pace.

LISANDRO MARTINEZ-5.5

He teamed up with Mazraoui to help neutralize Dibling's threat and considered himself lucky as the Southampton star weaved into the area but was denied by Onana. Helped keep the intensity of the game high. Booked.

AMAD DIALLO-9

A rare bright spark for United on a night without much creativity until he turned the screw. Even on a night when the Ivorian's decision-making in the final third initially seemed off, he produced three crucial pieces of magic on a night when his teammates were well below par. The ace from Amorim's deck of cards once again emerged as the winner.

KOBBIE MAINOO-5

Started at half-time after a 45-minute performance that largely passed him by as he lost the midfield battle. There has been a lot of improvement in recent weeks, but this was a bad night for the young midfielder as Lesley Ugochukwu and Southampton's Joe Aribo had their way with him.

MANUEL UGARTE-5.5

A very frustrating evening for the Uruguayan, who has really come into his own in recent weeks. This was a night where everything that seemed to go wrong for him did go wrong as the ball deflected off his back to give Southampton the opener. Came out before the hour and shook his head, both frustrated and incredulous at the performance.

NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI-6

Started at left back in what was his first game in that position since joining the club last summer. Many more experienced players in that side have been embarrassed by Tyler Dibling this season, but he kept the Southampton star honest. It means he has played six positions this season (LB, LWB, CB, RB, RWB and No. 10).

BRUNO FERNANDES-6.5

He had an effort cleared off the line late in this match after trying to drink one over Aaron Ramsdale. There's a reason he plays so often, and that's because he never cheats fans because of effort. Felt like he was overshooting at times and rushing a few of his final balls when opportunities presented themselves.

ALEJANDRO GARNACHO-6

Put a golden chance wide at 0-0 after a Rasmus Hojlund cutback and the game changed from there as Southampton's belief grew. Continued to look to Amorim for reassurance as he adjusted to a No. 10 role that required him to stay inside more than he was used to. Should have got an assist when he set aside Antony, who released the ball from two yards out.

RASMUS HOJLUND-4

He made just three touches in the Southampton area during his 54 minutes on the pitch, but this was a night where the fans let him know he wasn't where he needed to be in terms of quality. During a long pass from Andre Onana, he made a loud groan because it took too long for him to reach the ball. He looked dejected when he came off, because he knew he was off.

Manager

RUBEN AMORIM – 6.5

He had trouble stopping the pacing back and forth in his technical area before it had even started, so his step count must have been sky high. Was brutal in his substitutions, but will be hugely frustrated by the efforts of his players after such highlights at Liverpool and Arsenal

REPLACEMENTS

Antony (for Kobbie Mainoo, 46) – 4

Joshua Zirkzee (for Rasmus Hojlund, 54) – 6

Toby Collyer (for Manuel Ugarte, 54) – 6

Christian Eriksen (for Leny Yoro, 83)

Harry Maguire (for Noussair Mazraoui, 83)

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