SOUTHAMPTON 0
MANCHESTER UNITED 1 Fernandes (55)
Erik ten Hag joked it would take an hour to explain the rules he’s set out for Manchester United – but was relieved to see his side finally following them.
United’s fortunes seem to be turning after losing their first two contests of the season as they claimed their second victory in as many games with a win at Southampton after beating Liverpool on Monday.
Bruno Fernandes’ second-half volley was enough to seal the three points, but his boss preferred to look at the full-team picture, a view he felt was now much more appealing than the dreary portrait many painted at the season’s start.
“I think we did a lot better than against Brentford,” he said. “You saw a team on the pitch, good organisation, fight for each other, and I think there were also some really good moments from playing football.
“We scored finally in the best part of Man United after half time. I think that 10-15 minutes was really good. We played a really good possession game and scored a wonderful goal.
“There is a lot of room for improvement, that’s quite clear, but for me that is normal. But we have to get results, we have to win games, and that is what we went through.”
Asked about the specifics of his rule book, ten Hag replied: “Do you have an hour? There is always a journey with your team.”
The contest was close throughout, with the winners enjoying just a slight advantage in possession. Neither side, however, was able to open the scoring in the first half, despite a goalmouth scramble that saw three United attempts blocked within seconds of each other.
Finally Diogo Dalot was able to pick out his fellow Portugal international in the box after the restart and Fernandes wasted no time in sending a volley into the bottom corner for the 55th-minute game-winner.
Southampton staged a late rally, but could not find an equaliser in a game where they had plenty of opportunities.
“I think the performance was very good,” said Hasenhuttl. “I did not have one player in the team where I could say I wasn’t happy about his performance
“We had a lot of chances created and didn’t give them a lot, so from this part I think we matched them.”