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Premier League | Gameweek 4
Aug 31, 2019 at 12.30pm UK
 
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1-1

FT(HT: 0-1)
James (10')

Live Commentary: Southampton 1-1 Manchester United - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Premier League clash between Southampton and Manchester United from St Mary's, which finished 1-1.
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Jannik Vestergaard cancelled out a first-half attempt from Daniel James as Southampton came from behind to draw 1-1 with Manchester United in Saturday's Premier League clash at St Mary's.

James had sent United ahead in the 10th minute with his third Premier League goal of the campaign, but the Saints levelled through Vestergaard just before the hour as the points were shared on the south coast.

Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live coverage of the action below.


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Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Premier League clash between Southampton and Manchester United from St Mary's. Southampton have collected three points from their three league games this season, with their first victory coming away to Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend. United, meanwhile, took four points from their first two matches before suffering a shock 2-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace last time out. Stay tuned for live coverage of the action!

TEAMS!

SOUTHAMPTON: Gunn; Soares, Vestergaard, Bednarek, Danso; Romeu, Hojbjerg, Ward-Prowse; Boufal, Ings, Adams

MAN UNITED: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Young; Pogba, McTominay; James, Mata, Andreas; Rashford


Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has made two changes to the team that started the win over Brighton last weekend with Cedric Soares and Sofiane Boufal coming in for Nathan Redmond and Yann Valery – Redmond's absence is enforced due to an ankle problem while Valery drops to the bench. Danny Ings and Che Adams both keep their spots in the final third.

Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has made two changes to the team that started the win over Brighton last weekend with Cedric Soares and Sofiane Boufal coming in for Nathan Redmond and Yann Valery – Redmond's absence is enforced due to an ankle problem while Valery drops to the bench. Danny Ings and Che Adams both keep their spots in the final third.

As for United, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made three changes to the team that started against Palace last weekend with Ashley Young, Juan Mata and Andreas Pereira coming in for Luke Shaw, Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial. Rashford will lead the line in Martial's absence, while Daniel James keeps his spot after scoring against Palace. It is once again a 4-2-3-1 formation for the 20-time English champions.

KICKOFF:  Southampton kick things off on home soil...

... it must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium with the away supporters really making their voices heard. Southampton have early control of the ball.

Southampton are pressing really high up the field in the early stages of this match, which is forcing United to look long - not really a good tactic with Mata, James and Andreas in the team. Rashford is also not the greatest in the air, especially not against the towering Vestergaard.

James finds a low cross into Rashford - the attacker cannot get away from Vestergaard, though. McTominay then looks for Rashford moments later but the ball runs away from the attacker. Quite a lively start with action at both ends of the field here.

There was some concern over Rashford following a challenge with Vestergaard - but the England international is moving fine now. Back to the action and Southampton are forcing the issue down the left but good defending from Wan-Bissaka clears the danger.

CLOSE!  Southampton come close to taking the lead as Boufal works some space in the final third before looking to pick out the bottom corner, and his effort is just wide of the post!

SHOT!  Boufal goes for the scissor-kick in a dangerous area - but fails to hit he target. Southampton are the team on the front foot with 10 minutes on the clock.

Smart defending from Danso to prevent Andreas from having a strike on goal following good work from Mata in a dangerous area. Really open game at the moment.

GOAL!  SOUTHAMPTON 0-1 MANCHESTER UNITED (DANIEL JAMES)

GOAL!  Oh my word! United take the lead in the 10th minute as James dances into the Southampton box before picking out the top corner with a wonderful strike. It absolutely exploded off the Welshman's effort - what a goal from the summer arrival.

Manchester United players celebrate Daniel James's goal against Southampton in the Premier League on August 31, 2019© Reuters


SHOT!  Romeu fires harmlessly wide of the post for Southampton before James trickles one into the arms of Gunn down the other end. Really open game of football.

The United fans are in fine voice here as their team continue to threaten in the final third of the field. Pogba in particular has started really well for the English giants here.

James again finds space in a wide area before looking to deliver towards Rashford, although Danso makes an important clearance. United keep the pressure on, though.

Southampton break clear through Boufal who has plenty of options in the final third - but the attacker cannot find a teammate, leaving United to restart through De Gea at the back.

Wan-Bissaka fires just over the Southampton crossbar from a dangerous McTominay across, although the offside flag had been raised. Would have been some goal!

YELLOW CARD!  Danso (Southampton) is booked for a foul on Andreas.

Just a few mistakes creeping into the home side's play at the moment, which is allowing United to grow in confidence. A second goal at this stage would be absolutely huge.

SAVE!  Gunn has to make a save to keep out a powerful strike from James!

James has shown in the early stages of the Premier League season that he can certainly compete at this level - three goals is a brilliant return for a new player. Southampton just need to take a bit more care with the ball as they continue to concede possession here.

Mata continues to pick up strong positions for United, who are certainly on the front foot with 26 minutes on the clock. Ings is so isolated for Southampton down the other end.

Manchester United's Juan Mata in action with Southampton's Oriol Romeu in the Premier League on August 31, 2019© Reuters


Rashford breaks into a dangerous position before delivering a low cross into James, only for Ward-Prowse to make a very important clearance. Dangerous again from United.

Rashford has a brilliant chance to test Gunn with a header from a James cross - he nods wide, although the offside flag had been raised. Still 1-0 with 30 minutes on the clock.

Kevin Danso delivers a very dangerous long throw into the United box - the away side just about manage to deal with it, although they get a slice of luck when Ward-Prowse is penalised for a high foot. James's wonder strike remains the difference between the two teams.

SHOT!  Mata trickles a low strike harmlessly wide of the home side's post.

SHOT!  Bit of pressure from Southampton in the last few minutes - but De Gea is still not having to make any saves. Ings eventually hits one from distance, just missing the post.

Rashford wins a free kick for his side on the half-way line, easing the pressure at a vital stage of the match. The United fans respond with a huge cheer of their own.

Little over five minutes of the first period remaining, and Boufal has just had a shot blocked by Wan-Bissaka, who has really impressed for the Red Devils once again here.

Ings attempts to race clear of Lindeof but the United centre-back does really well on the cover, which was a problem in the defeat to Palace. Adams now looks to have a problem for the home side following a clash with Maguire, who really put in a firm challenge.

YELLOW CARD!  Maguire (United) is actually booked for the heavy tackle on Adams.

The Southampton fans feel that they have been given some rough treatment by Mike Dean in this first period, with United seemingly getting a number of decisions.

Southampton remain the team on the front foot as the half-time interval draws closer. De Gea has not had to make a serious save in the first half, though, will be a concern to Hasenhuttl. James's excellent early effort remains the difference between the two sides.

We are into the first of two additional minutes at the end of the first period, and United continue to defend well under pressure from the hosts, who remain on the front foot.

HALF TIME:  SOUTHAMPTON 0-1 MANCHESTER UNITED

So there we have it - the referee brings the first period to a close with United leading 1-0 courtesy of an excellent strike from James. Southampton have had their moments in the final third of the field, although De Gea has not had a serious save to make. There have been plenty of indications to suggest that there will be more goals in the second period.

STATISTICS! United had 56% of the ball in the first period, while they hit the target from four of their nine attempts. Southampton had five shots - none of which were on target. Two yellow cards to report in the first half with Danso in the book for Southampton and Maguire picking up a card for United. It has been an entertaining opening half of action on the south coast.

BENCH WATCH! United have the likes of Chong, Greenwood and Lingard on their bench this afternoon, while they have defensive cover in the shape of Rojo, Matic and Tuanzebe. As for Southampton, Hasenhuttl has options in the shape of Armstrong, Long and Valery. It will be very interesting to see how both managers use their benches in the second half of action.

KICKOFF:  United resume the action at St Mary's...

... no changes from either side at the break, which is not much of a surprise. However, you suspect that both managers will have changes in mind as the play develops here.

Good pressure from Southampton at the start of the second period - Hasenhuttl will be desperate for his side to register a serious attempt as soon as possible. United are almost waiting for the chance to counter as they sit in a fairly deep shape.

Half-chance for United as Rashford breaks into a dangerous position before looking to poke the ball past Gunn - the home side just about manage to clear their lines, though.

The Southampton fans are really not pleased with the referee this afternoon - not that Mike Dean will mind too much as he has heard it all before. Quite a lively start to the second period with both teams having their moments in the final third of the field.

Pereira breaks into a dangerous position and manages to deliver at the second time of asking - but Southampton clear their lines once again. Still 1-0 to United with 55 minutes played.

CHANCE!  Huge chance for Southampton to score as Adams finds all sorts of space inside the United box - but the forward fires wide of the post. Really big chance there!

Southampton are yet to register a shot on target but that was a huge chance for Adams to level the scores, which will hand the home side confidence. Just over 30 left here.

GOAL!  SOUTHAMPTON 1-1 MANCHESTER UNITED (VESTERGAARD)

GOAL!  Southampton level the scores in the 58th minute as Vestergaard rises highest inside the United box to head past De Gea. The United goalkeeper had kept out a header from Ings moments before but could do nothing this time. Big moment in this football match.

Southampton defender Jannik Vestergaard celebrates scoring against Manchester United in the Premier League on August 31, 2019© Reuters


Huge, huge next 30 minutes or so for both of these clubs. Massive.

Looking at the bench, is there that much available for United? Lingard has not provided a single assist in 2019, while Chong and Greenwood are both very inexperienced. United desperately need Rashford to step forward during a huge moment of need here.

SOUTHAMPTON SUB! Adams is replaced by Shane Long for the home side.

Smart clearance from Young under pressure from Ings as Southampton continue to threaten. The home side look the team more likely to score a second at the moment.

Little over 25 minutes of the second period remaining, and Pogba has just found Rashford inside the penalty box, but the attacker saw his strike blocked.

Jesse Lingard has been called back to the United bench, while Matic has also returned to the touchline, suggesting that a double change will be made in the coming minutes.

SHOT!  Hojbjerg strikes over the United crossbar from distance.

MAN UNITED SUBS! Lingard and Matic replace Mata and Pereira for the away side.

SHOT!  Matic fires harmlessly over the Southampton post from distance.

SOUTHAMPTON SUB! Armstrong replaces Boufal for the home side.

RED CARD!  DANSO (SOUTHAMPTON) Southampton are reduced to 10 men as Danso picks up a second yellow for bringing McTominay to the ground with a rash tackle!

SAVE!  Decent save from Gunn to keep out a strike from James this time.

You do get the feeling that this is a huge, huge final 15 minutes for United, who have been given a big chance to score a second late on following that red card.

SOUTHAMPTON SUB! Ings is replaced by Yoshida for the home side.

Wan-Bissaka delivers a very dangerous cross towards Rashford but the attacker cannot make contact. Still at least 10 minutes of football left in the second period.

Greenwood is preparing to enter the field for United, and how the visitors need a big moment from the 17-year-old in the final stages of this clash, which remains 1-1.

MAN UNITED SUB! Greenwood replaces McTominay for the away side.

SAVE!  Gunn uses his foot to keep out a low strike from Rashford.

Southampton are penned in at the moment as they continue to defend, but United are not really threatening to score despite having so much of the ball. You do get the feeling that there might be one more big chance in the final five minutes or so here.

James delivers another dangerous cross into the box - but there are no takers. Not a single player is gambling to meet the low balls which are arriving here.

SHOT!  Lingard curls harmlessly wide of the post from distance.

SAVE!  Greenwood forces a really smart save from Gunn as the 17-year-old looks to pick out the corner with a curling effort! Excellent stuff from the teenager there.

CLOSE!  Young's effort from distance just misses the Southampton goal!

United are firmly on the front foot here but Southampton are holding firm.

We are into the first of four additional minutes at St Mary's. Huge!

Lingard handles the ball and that sees more seconds tick on with Southampton taking their time. It does appear that United will again fail to win in the Premier League.

Cedric stays on the ground for Southampton following a collision with James, and the clock continues to tick on. United are not really offering anything here.

YELLOW CARD!  Young (Man United) is booked for dissent.

Southampton have the chance to deliver a free kick into the United box but instead decide to kick straight out of play with the seconds ticking on here.

Southampton clear yet again and that might be that.

YELLOW CARD!  Armstrong (Southampton) is booked for a foul on Matic.

FULL TIME:  SOUTHAMPTON 1-1 MANCHESTER UNITED

So there we have it - the referee brings the second period to a close with the two teams playing out a 1-1 draw at St Mary's. Not great for United but Southampton will definitely take it. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. Until next time!

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Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer pictured on August 24, 2019
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