Southampton 1-1 Manchester United: Vestergaard cancels out splendid James strike

Daniel James' third goal for Manchester United was not enough to deny Southampton a battling point at St Mary's.

Published : Aug 31, 2019 19:21 IST

Jannik Vestergaard rises above Victor Lindelof to equalise for Southampton, with Kevin Danso providing the assist.
Jannik Vestergaard rises above Victor Lindelof to equalise for Southampton, with Kevin Danso providing the assist.
lightbox-info

Jannik Vestergaard rises above Victor Lindelof to equalise for Southampton, with Kevin Danso providing the assist.

Manchester United was held to a third successive Premier League match without a win as Jannik Vestergaard earned 10-man Southampton a 1-1 home draw on Saturday.

Danish defender Vestergaard broke his duck for the club with a towering 58th-minute header to cancel out Daniel James' opener.

The latter had secured United an early lead with a well-taken third goal in four games but United was unable to add a second, even after Kevin Danso's dismissal in the 73rd minute.

Another frustrating result for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side comes in the wake of a deflating 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace and sends it into the international break on a sour note.

Wales international James needed 10 minutes of his fourth top-flight appearance to draw level with Alexis Sanchez's three-goal Premier League haul for United.

The Chilean, loaned out to Inter on Thursday, would have been envious of the room gifted to James, who darted in from the left and lashed beyond Angus Gunn.

Read: 'Fred will remain at Man United'

Saints goalkeeper Gunn parried the 21-year-old's next well-struck attempt, which followed an awkward Aaron Wan-Bissaka volley, and thwarted Marcus Rashford shortly after the interval.

Southampton eventually mounted a period of pressure and was rewarded when Vestergaard climbed above Victor Lindelof and nodded in Danso's cross.

The odds swung back in United's favour when, 18 minutes from time, defender Danso dived in on Scott McTominay and received a second booking.

Gunn had to produce a smart save with his legs from Rashford as the away side became increasingly desperate for a winner but, aside from half-hearted appeals for a penalty when Mason Greenwood went to ground, there was little real concern for Ralph Hasenhuttl's men.

What does it mean? United's momentum waning after four matches

The Red Devils seem to have quickly lost confidence since setting Old Trafford ablaze with the ruthless opening-weekend defeat of Chelsea.

Performances have become steadily more subdued, culminating in an inability to beat a limited Saints side which was hamstrung by Danso's sending off.

Solskjaer has work to do.

James proving a shrewd signing

McTominay was solid in midfield but James supplied the sparkle for the visitor.

Anthony Martial's absence through injury thrust more responsibility on the former Swansea City star's shoulders and he did his bit where others struggled.

Danso endangers hard-working Saints

Southampton had done well to find a way back into the match through Vestergaard but was made to sweat needlessly thanks to its 20-year-old loanee.

Already on a yellow, it was a completely senseless decision to wipe out McTominay which could well have cost his team a hard-earned point.

What's next?

United hosts Leicester City in its first match back after the international break on September 14, the same day as Southampton's trip to Sheffield United.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment