Bruno Fernandes ' sweet second-half strike made it back-to-back Premier League wins for Manchester United at Southampton.
Erik ten Hag and co headed to St Mary's off the back of a pulsating 2-1 win against Liverpool on Monday, and sealed their first away win since February against Ralph Hasenhuttl 's side. Want-away Cristiano Ronaldo and captain Harry Maguire were again left out of the starting XI and new £60million signing Casemiro was also named as a substitute.
A sluggish first half performance left the Red Devils with work to do after the break, but Fernandes broke the deadlock with a fine first-time finish, volleying past Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu. The Saints huffed and pushed but never truly troubled the visitors barring a brief onslaught in added time, as David de Gea was only called into action to produce one single save.
Here are five talking points from St Mary's.
1. Casemiro made to wait
After a £60m deal to sign him was confirmed on Monday, many expected Casemiro to make his United debut on the south coast. Erik ten Hag had other ideas, though, choosing to bench the former Real Madrid stalwart and not rush him into action, despite the Red Devils' issues in midfield.
Speaking to BT Sport pre-match, Ten Hag explained: "I think we have a squad that's quite competitive, so that's always a difficult decision.But, as you say, we had a really good performance on Monday and then you stick to it, but it's also to give Casemiro the time. He has not played one game, 90 minutes, so he has to adapt to England, has to adapt to Man United and to give him the time to integrate in the team."
2. A wall of Saints
After a rather tepid opening 20 minutes, the Red Devils decided it was time to break the deadlock but denied by some heroic Southampton defending. Saints goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, who joined on a permanent basis from Manchester City this summer, pulled off a tremendous save to deny Anthony Elanga amid three superb blocks from his defenders.
The ball ricocheted around the penalty area and almost every United attacker had a bit at the cherry, but couldn't break through. The unsuccessful goalmouth scramble seemed to dent United's confidence, although they managed to make it through without conceding a goal away from home in the first half for the first time since February.
3. Fernandes' fine finish
After one of his worst individual performances for some time in the first half, Bruno Fernandes was the man who gave the Red Devils the lead just 10 minutes into the second. An overlapping Diogo Dalot picked him out with a cross from the right, as the Portuguese midfielder was left with acres of space just inside the penalty area thanks to Marcus Rashford and Elanga dragging away the Southampton defenders.
But Fernandes didn't waste time on producing a shot, as he cushioned the ball into the back of the net with a well-timed volley. United's punchy passes to cut through the Saints were a refreshing sight compared to the slower build-up play of the opening 45 minutes, as Ten Hag and co got themselves in front.
4. Dave saves
Having gone about their business admirably prior to going one-nil down, Southampton responded well to Fernandes' goal and turned the screw. Unlucky not to have a penalty after Scott McTominay unknowingly handled the ball in a tussle with Che Adams, the Red Devils had their goalkeeper to thank for Hasenhuttl's team not drawing level.
Joe Aribo got his head on an Adam Armstrong cross, but David de Gea showed that he's still got his outstanding reflexes haven't left him. The Spaniard tipped over Aribo's effort and received a rousing congratulations from Lisandro Martinez after his potential match-winning save.
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5. Debut delight
After 80 minutes of watching on from the substitute's bench, Casemiro made his bow for United in place of Elanga. Travelling Red Devils supporters were already chanting a new song about the Brazilian pre-match and Casemiro brought his knack of winning to St Mary's.
Eve at 30, there's still plenty left in the midfield, who's been signed to solve a long-running problem which has plagued United since way Ten Hag's arrival. His introduction helped seal a much-needed three points, with only an injury concern to Cristiano Ronaldo - who also came on as a sub - troubling the away side in the closing stages.
