Sloppy United held to a 1-1 draw by impressive Southampton

A second-half strike from Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood cancelled out an own goal from team mate Fred to earn a 1-1 draw at Southampton in the Premier League on Sunday.

Published : Aug 22, 2021 20:49 IST , SOUTHAMPTON

Manchester United's Paul Pogba (center) with Southampton's Ibrahima Diallo (left) after the two sides played a 1-1 draw at St. Mary's Stadium on Sunday.
Manchester United's Paul Pogba (center) with Southampton's Ibrahima Diallo (left) after the two sides played a 1-1 draw at St. Mary's Stadium on Sunday.
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Manchester United's Paul Pogba (center) with Southampton's Ibrahima Diallo (left) after the two sides played a 1-1 draw at St. Mary's Stadium on Sunday.

A second-half strike from Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood cancelled out an own goal from team mate Fred to earn a 1-1 draw at Southampton in the Premier League on Sunday.

United had a euphoric start to the season with a 5-1 home win over Leeds United but could not repeat that performance and was lucky not to lose to Ralph Hasenhuttl's organised and dynamic side.

Southampton took the lead on the half-hour mark after a bright spell when Jack Stephens dispossessed Bruno Fernandes in the United half and the hosts swiftly moved the ball towards Che Adams, whose shot took a heavy deflection off Fred to squirm inside the near post and past David de Gea.

READ MORE: Southampton 1-1 Manchester United HIGHLIGHTS: Saints and United share the spoils

United defender Harry Maguire had hit the crossbar early on with a looping header while Anthony Martial's rebound was scrambled off the line by Mohammed Salisu but the half had belonged to Southampton, who swarmed over United with an aggressive high press and caused havoc down the right hand side.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side levelled early in the 55th when Greenwood thumped a low shot under Southampton keeper Alex McCarthy after clever interplay between Fernandes and Paul Pogba, who added another assist to the four he notched against Leeds.

Southampton finished the game strongest though and Adam Armstrong missed two clear chances to win it, first being denied by a fine save from De Gea following another speedy transition and then failing to steer an Adams flick on towards goal following a corner.

Greenwood praised Southampton's performance but criticised his side for not capitalising on the equaliser.

"It was a difficult game, Southampton defended well but in my eyes we dropped two points," he told Sky Sports.

"When we got the equaliser we should have gone for the throats, the time went away and we did not get the winner towards the end."

Southampton right back Valentino Livramento said his side had chances to take all three points but he was happy with one.

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"We knew the way we could compete was by being physical and aggressive with the press and hitting them on the counter," he said.

"I feel we could have won the game, maybe could have lost the game, but a draw is a fair result."

According to OptaJoe, Manchester United is now unbeaten in its last 27 away Premier League matches (W17 D10), equalling the longest away unbeaten in English top-flight history, set by Arsenal between April 2003 and September 2004.

On the other hand, Southampton's wait for a win in its first home league match of the season since promotion in 2012-13 continues.

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