Fernandes volley sees Man Utd win on Casemiro's debut
![Bruno Fernandes gave Man Utd victory over Southampton. AFP](https://cdn.resfu.com/media/img_news/afp_en_7436aac65299a3e64d17009e815b58c9b59ce25b.jpg?size=1000x&lossy=1)
Man Utd continued their winning run with a 0-1 victory over Southampton in the Premier League. A 55th minute Bruno Fernandes goal gave Erik ten Hag's men the three point and their second victory in a row after the 2-1 win over Liverpool on Monday. The match was fairly even, but a strong opening 15 minutes to the second half by Ten Hag's men proved to be the difference while Casemiro also came on for the final 10 minutes.
The first period was a very even affair, but Southampton had the better of it. There were few clear cut opportunities and it was no surprise it was goalless at the interval. There were signs of Man Utd's defensive frailties early on when Tyrell Malacia gave the ball away near his own goal, but the hosts were unable to capitalise on it while at the other end, Diogo Dalot sent a cross in for Bruno Fernandes in the middle, but it was too high for his compatriot.
After 19 minutes, Man Utd looked certain to take the lead, but the Saints kept them out in miraculous fashion. Dalot picked out Fernandes in the box and he, Elanga and Eriksen were all denied by a combination of the goalkeeper and the defence. That triple chance was easily the closest either side came to a goal in the first period.
The Saints also came close to open the scoring when Bella-Kotchap blazed over a Ward-Prowse corner from close range at the back stick. Then, moments later, Che Adams' strike from inside the area by David de Gea. In any case, the home side did their job in keeping Man Utd at bay.
August 27, 2022
In the second half, it was a different story though. Man Utd stepped it up a gear and looked dangerous right from the off. Scott McTominay tested goalkeeper Bazunu early on and then a one-two between Elanga and Fernandes saw the former about to shoot in the box and Bella-Kotchap made a goalsaving tackle.
However, United's pressure finally told. In the 55th minute, the ball was played to Dalot on this near side and his cross found Bruno Fernandes in the middle. The former Sporting Lisbon man left the goalkeeper with no chance with his powerful volley. It was the breakthrough Ten Hag's men desperately needed.
The home side reacted well to falling behind, but failed to create many clear cut opportunities. A handball shout in the box against McTominay was turned down by the officials while Joe Aribo had the best chance when his header was brilliantly stopped by De Gea from close range and then Walker-Peters hit the rebound over the goal.
The Saints increased the pressure in the closing stages, but despite finishing the game with three strikers and a Mara overhead kick which was cleared away, they were unable to breach the United defence and left empty handed.
The win will go some way to taking the pressure off the under fire owners while Southampton will feel they gave Man Utd a good game in a match they were expecting to lose.