Amad Diallo scored a stunning 12-minute hat-trick in the final moments to rescue Manchester United from embarrassment in a dramatic 3-1 victory over bottom-placed Southampton at Old Trafford.
The 22-year-old winger turned the match on its head after United had trailed to Manuel Ugarte’s first-half own goal and been thoroughly outplayed for much of Thursday evening’s Premier League clash.
Diallo struck in the 82nd, 89th and 93rd minutes to complete a remarkable turnaround for Ruben Amorim’s side.
The Ivorian international’s heroics spared United from what would have been a fourth consecutive home defeat for the first time since the 1930s.
Amad Diallo scored an incredible hat-trick to save United from defeat to Southampton
Reuters
His match-winning performance came just a week after signing a new five-year contract with the club.
Southampton dominated the first half, with Kamaldeen Sulemana giving United defender Leny Yoro a torrid time through his pace and dribbling.
Andre Onana kept United in the match with several crucial saves, denying Sulemana, Tyler Dibling and Mateus Fernandes in quick succession.
The Saints took a deserved lead two minutes before half-time when Dibling’s flick-on from a Fernandes corner deflected in off Ugarte’s shoulder.
The visitors continued to control proceedings after the break, with Sulemana twice getting past Yoro with ease.
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United manager Ruben Amorim responded by making three changes by the 52nd minute, withdrawing both central midfielders.
Antony squandered a golden opportunity to equalise when he somehow missed an open goal from close range.
Joshua Zirkzee drove forward and found Amad for the equaliser, with the winger firing home at the second attempt after Kyle Walker-Peters had blocked his initial effort.
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Amad Diallo turned on the style when United needed him the most
Reuters
With just a minute of normal time remaining, Amad combined brilliantly with substitute Christian Eriksen, volleying home the Dane’s lofted pass to put United ahead.
The Ivorian completed his treble in stoppage time after capitalising on Taylor Harwood-Bellis’s loose touch in the Southampton box.
It marked another rescue act from Amad, who has been United’s most consistent attacking threat under Amorim this season.
The hat-trick took his tally to seven goals for the campaign, with his clinical finishing proving decisive in turning around what had seemed a likely defeat.
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Southampton had been leading for 70 minutes before losing 3-1
Reuters
The victory lifted Manchester United to 12th place in the Premier League table, marking their first win in over a month.
The result continued an upturn in form for United, following their FA Cup penalty shootout victory over Arsenal and an impressive 2-2 draw at league leaders Liverpool.
For Southampton, who remain rooted to the bottom of the table, it was another bitter blow in their fight for survival.
The Saints have now conceded more goals in the final 15 minutes than any other Premier League team this season, with Amad’s third goal being the 12th such instance.
Ivan Juric’s side came into the match winless in 17 successive Premier League away matches, a run that continues despite their encouraging performance.
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