LUKAKU STRIKES LATE TO SEND MAN UNITED FOURTH

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom: Romelu Lukaku struck a dramatic 89th-minute winner as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United beat Southampton 3-2 at Old Trafford on Saturday to leapfrog Arsenal fourth place in the Premier League.

United appeared to be heading towards a disappointing home draw when substitute Fred exchanged passes with Luke Shaw and found in-form Belgian on the edge of area before Lukaku did the rest a pinpoint 18-yard finish into the bottom corner. Solskjaer could enjoy the luxury of a 95th-minute penalty miss when Paul Pogba’s effort was well saved by Angus Gunn following Stuart Armstrong’s trip on Marcus Rashford.

The win, which extended caretaker manager Solskjaer’s unbeaten run in domestic football to 15 games, was much-needed after it appeared United would drop two potentially crucial points in the chase for a top-four finish and Champions League qualification.

In a game of spectacular goals, Saints midfielder James Ward-prowse struck a superb 25-yard free-kick, awarded for an Ashley Young foul on Armstrong, into the top left-hand corner of the goal after 74 minutes to make the score 2-2.

Andreas Pereira had himself equalised for United in the 53rd minute as substitute Diogo Dalot combined with Lukaku, forcing the ball through to the young Brazilian who took a touch before curling a magnificent finish into Southampton goal. After a lacklustre first-half display, United were an irrepressible mood and took the lead just six minutes later through Lukaku although Pereira was again instrumental in the goal.

The midfielder showed his strength to hold off challengers midfield before slipping through an excellently-timed pass for the striker who finished clinically, into the far corner, from 15 yards. SAINTS STUNNER

It was an impressive turnaround from Solskjaer’s team who had been stunned by an incredible 26th-minute strike by Southampton wing-back Yan Valery, the young Frenchman’s first goal in professional

and one remember.

But there were question marks over David De Gea as Nathan Redmond won the ball in midfield,

Austin the overlapping and his immaculate 30-yard effort beat the United keeper at his near

It was a stunning and one which the had been building towards after surviving a strong opening