Manchester United 3-1 Southampton - Five Statistics after that Amad Hat-Trick

At the beginning of December in 2024, I got to witness Southampton at the St. Mary's Stadium under their former manager, Russell Martin. I have witnessed numerous Premier League games in my time, but never had I seen such reckless passing at the back from a Premier League side. Southampton looked like they were robots that merely stuck to the instructions given to them by Russell Martin, no matter what situation they were in on the pitch. Needless to say, it didn't go the Saints' way that day, and Chelsea could have scored more than five. The score-line was 5-1 to Chelsea, and Southampton needed to make a decision about their manager.

Fast-forward to the 16th of January 2025 and there was a new man at the helm for the Saints against Manchester United. Ivan Juric had predominately managed sides in the Italian Serie A, and recently only took charge of twelve games at AS Roma. In his first three Premier League matches Juric's Saints lost every single game. This included a humiliating 5-0 home loss to Brentford. Hardly the start they would have wanted.

Tonight Juric met a Manchester United side that had lost their last three Premier League games at Old Trafford. Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and Newcastle United all left Old Trafford with three points, and for long stretches of this encounter it looked like the unthinkable could come true. An away victory had eluded Southampton this season, with them coming closest against Fulham (0-0) and Brighton (1-1). Could it be, that tonight was the night for the Saints?

For seventy-five minutes that seemed to be the case. Southampton had taken an unlikely lead through an Ugarte own goal just before half-time, and United looked shell shocked. The crowd was quiet and the popular football app - OneFootball - posted this on their live ticker feed. In the 77th minute - "It's all just a bit ... meh. The home side just look a little jaded and afraid to try things. They have had their chances in this game but Southampton could also have a bigger lead."

Five minutes later, the man from the Ivory Coast - Amad Diallo - had the Old Trafford crowd breathing a huge sigh of relief. One-one and United could finally have something to cheer about. While the first goal was welcomed with open arms by United supporters, what happened next sent them into delirium. The young twenty-two year old would not only manage to win the game for the red devils, but he scored a hat-trick. The first hat-trick from a United player in the Premier League, under Ruben Amorim. What a moment that was.

Here are five statistics following Manchester United's important victory against Southampton:

5. Manchester United don't mind playing Southampton

United are unbeaten in their last sixteen Premier League matches against the Saints - winning eight and drawing eight of those encounters.

4. Southampton's away form continues to be dire

Southampton are winless in their last 18 Premier League away games - drawing four, and losing 14 of those matches.

3. Manchester United can't get into gear

Manchester United have failed to score a single goal in their last six first halves in the Premier League. They have also failed to score a goal in three of these encounters.

2. Hat-tricks are hard to come by

The last time a Manchester United player scored a hat-trick in the Premier League, was when Ralf Rangnick was managing, and Cristiano Ronaldo was still at the club. And yes, you guessed it, the last player to score a hat-trick for Manchester United at Old Trafford, before Amad Diallo did so this evening, was Cristiano Ronaldo against Norwich City on the 16th of April 2022.

1. Amad Diallo - United's African superstar

Amad Diallo became the first African player who reached double figures for goal involvements in a single campaign for the red devils. His hat-trick bumped his goal tally for the season to six, and his goal involvements to 12 for the season (6 goals and 6 assists).

Are Manchester United finally back on track? And is Southampton going to the Championship next season?

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