Amad Diallo hat-trick spares hosts’ blushes as Red Devils come from behind to win

DIALLO HAT-TRICK RESCUES MAN UTD

Amad Diallo’s late hat-trick broke Southampton’s hearts, as he ensured Manchester United came from behind to avoid what could have been a fourth straight home defeat, with a 3-1 victory.

The visitors, despite their lack of goals this season, were by far the better attacking side in the first half, only to find Andre Onana in their way.

The goalkeeper made a fingertip stop from Kamaldeen Sulemana, before a stunning double save as he kept out Tyler Dibling’s low shot and Mateus Fernandes’ point-blank range rebound.

However, the Saints eventually found a breakthrough late in the first half when a corner from the left, flicked on by Dibling, hit Manuel Ugarte on the back and dropped into the back of the net.

After the break, substitute Antony missed a sitter for the hosts, somehow failing to convert into an empty net from Alejandro Garnacho’s perfect cross, while Sulemana, having beaten Leny Yoro, shot wide of the far post at the other end.

It looked like Southampton would comfortably hold on for a draw, but The Red Devils equalised in the final 10 minutes when Diallo profited from an initial shot deflecting back into his path, and he made no mistake second time around, emphatically beating Aaron Ramsdale.

There was more to come, too, as Christian Eriksen’s stunning clipped pass over the defence released Diallo again in the dying minutes, and he brilliantly converted with his first touch.

And then the Ivorian completed his treble in the 94th minute, pouncing on a heavy touch from Taylor Harwood-Bellis and slotting into an empty net.