Manchester United’s embarrassment was spared after a late hat-trick from Amad Diallo.
After earning the respect of everybody watching against Liverpool and Arsenal, Manchester United flirted with losing at home to Southampton.
And until Amad Diallo took over the game in the final 10 minutes, Southampton were good value for their 1-0 lead.
Amad’s treble ensured United’s blushes were spared, with Manchester United winning the game 3-1.
Joshua Zirkzee praised
One of Manchester United’s substitutes who changed the game was Joshua Zirkzee, sent on to replace the ineffective Rasmus Hojlund.
Zirkzee was lively and supplied the pass for Amad’s equaliser, even if it did not go down as an assist.
Speaking on MUTV, Wes Brown said it was one of the best games he had seen from Zirkzee in a Manchester United shirt.
He said: “Zirkzee came on he’s a player under a little bit of pressure. He got a bit of stick off the fans in previous games, but I think when he came on he made a difference.
“He was sharp, he was turning, he was playing little one-twos, and he just sped the game up a little bit in our favour, and probably one of the best games I’ve seen him in.”
Zirkzee playing with confidence
You would have thought from the way Rasmus Hojlund played, he was the one who was booed a few weeks back.
Hojlund has not scored a league goal in months, and was flat up front once again. Zirkzee gave a little something different to United attack.
The dilemma is Zirkzee’s goalscoring itself is not enough – but he played with some style and verve, just like he did at Arsenal when he embarrassed William Saliba.
There are small signs he may be turning his fortunes around, and Zirkzee could even be in line for a start against Brighton this weekend.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
