Vestergaard On Target As Ten-Man Saints Battle To United Draw

31st August 2019 - by Southampton FC

The towering defender rose to meet a second-half cross from Kevin Danso, who was later dismissed for a second yellow card on his home debut, after United had taken an early lead through Daniel James

Manchester United's English striker Marcus Rashford (L) takes on Southampton's Spanish midfielder Oriol Romeu (R) during the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Manchester United at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, southern England on August 31, 2019. PHOTO/AFP

SUMMARY

The boss had already confirmed the absences of Nathan Redmond, Moussa Djenepo and Michael Obafemi, so this was a chance for the Moroccan to prove his worth
Receiving the ball on the left corner of the box, the Welshman used an overlapping run to step inside and crash an unstoppable strike beyond Gunn’s despairing dive into the top corner
United were enjoying a good spell but Saints would finish the half strongly

SOUTHAMPTON, England- Southampton fought back to earn a well-deserved point against Manchester United at St Mary’s courtesy of Jannik Vestergaard’s first goal for the club.

The towering defender rose to meet a second-half cross from Kevin Danso, who was later dismissed for a second yellow card on his home debut, after United had taken an early lead through Daniel James.

Ralph Hasenhüttl made two changes to his last Premier League line-up, handing starts to Cédric and Sofiane Boufal, who both played their part in the midweek Carabao Cup win at Fulham.

The boss had already confirmed the absences of Nathan Redmond, Moussa Djenepo and Michael Obafemi, so this was a chance for the Moroccan to prove his worth.

It didn’t take long for him to make an impression. Saints started with plenty of positive intent, harassing United’s backline at every opportunity, and Boufal tried his luck with a skidding shot from 25 yards that had David De Gea scampering across his goal, relieved to see it run wide of his right-hand post.

But it was United who drew first blood through a stunning strike from James, scoring for the third time in four appearances since his summer arrival from Swansea.

Receiving the ball on the left corner of the box, the Welshman used an overlapping run to step inside and crash an unstoppable strike beyond Gunn’s despairing dive into the top corner.

Suddenly United, previously rushed into every pass, began to take control. The confident James tried another shot, sending Gunn stooping to his left, and another that forced the keeper to parry the ball back into play.

In between those two saves, Scott McTominay’s far-post cross was met firmly on the volley by the onrushing Aaron Wan-Bissaka, but the right-back couldn’t keep the chance down.

United were enjoying a good spell but Saints would finish the half strongly.

After Danny Ings’s optimistic volley was watched wide by De Gea, the keeper was relieved to see Scott McTominay come to his aid when Boufal collected an Ings cross and lashed a shot goalwards from 12 yards. A painful blow for the man in black, but no less important.