BREAKING NEWS: Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt has praised his teammate following their Premier League victory over Southampton. De Ligt noted that they managed to redeem themselves in this match thanks to the player’s football intelligence, emphasizing that their success hinged on his impact, which “changed the game.”

Manchester United secured a crucial 3-0 win against Southampton, marking their second Premier League victory of the season. The win came as a much-needed boost for Erik ten Hag’s side, who had faced significant pressure after a shaky start to the campaign. With three well-executed goals, a clean sheet, and standout performances across the board, the match offered several positives for the team.

Manchester United started the game with composure, gradually finding their rhythm. However, the game could have taken a different turn early on, as Diogo Dalot conceded a penalty after struggling to contain Southampton’s Tyler Dibbling. Southampton’s Cameron Archer stepped up to take the penalty, but United’s goalkeeper, Andre Onana, made a crucial save, keeping the scoreline level and stopping Southampton from gaining momentum. From that point forward, Southampton struggled to mount any serious attacking threat.

Andre Onana’s penalty save set the tone for the rest of the match, shifting momentum in Manchester United’s favor. Matthijs de Ligt, who was instrumental in securing United’s second clean sheet of the season, praised Onana’s performance, calling it game-changing. De Ligt also delivered a commanding performance on the defensive end, making key clearances and tackles, while also scoring the opening goal with a well-placed header from a Bruno Fernandes cross.

Marcus Rashford followed up with a curling effort to score United’s second goal, demonstrating his regained form after an intense week of training. Rashford’s goal highlighted United’s growing proficiency in set pieces, a facet of their game that is improving under the guidance of set-piece coach Andreas Georgson. While the goal wasn’t directly from a rehearsed play, De Ligt credited Fernandes for spotting the opportunity.

Alejandro Garnacho’s introduction in the latter stages of the game added energy to United’s attack. The young Argentine capped off his performance with a powerful goal, assisted by Diogo Dalot and Casemiro, sealing a comfortable win for United.

This victory alleviated some of the pressure on Erik ten Hag and offered signs of progress for Manchester United. The team’s ability to maintain composure under pressure, combined with clinical finishing and defensive solidity, suggests they are on the path to restoring belief and consistency as the season progresses.