I am expecting a very good atmosphere here tonight based on what I have seen so far, it really is loud.
Amad Diallo has saved this Manchester United side time, and time, again this season, and he has done it again.
I mean, I can’t see it, but you never know.
18:38
‘Onus on United to take game to Saints’
By Harry Bamforth
Ooooh, now this is a statement from Ruben Amorim.
Their points tally at this stage is the same as Sunderland’s in 2006, but the Saints’ goal difference of -32 is much worse than the Black Cats’.
That’s the 10th goal the Red Devils have conceded from a corner this season. That’s ridiculous.
21:24
FULL-TIME: Ipswich 0-2 Brighton
By Harry Bamforth
The fact this goal took 43 minutes to come was quite a shock, Southampton were hammering Manchester United before this.
Manchester United love it when the Saints come marching in, if you’ll pardon the pun.
However, after drawing away at league leaders Liverpool, a game in which they were arguably the better side, and beating Arsenal at the Emirates on penalties in the FA Cup, things are looking up for United.
20:30
‘Two stunning saves’
By Nathan Salt At Old Trafford
Unless you are a Southampton fan, then you will be bricking it.
Southampton must be scratching their heads… how are they losing this game?
The Manchester United goalkeeper turns into prime Edwin van der Sar to keep the hosts from going behind.
The Saints have been superb, that is the bets half of football I have seen form them all season.
Southampton are statistically the worst-ever side after 20 games of a Premier League season.
Antony nearly makes an instant impact!
This time, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been spotted with his partner in crim, Sir Dave Brailsford.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis rises highest to meet a corner and hammers a header toward goal.
Oh dear… this is a real worry for Southampton.
Tonight’s main course is Manchester United’s clash with bottom-of-the-table Southampton.
I mean, it’s hardly an inspiring substitution, but something does need to change.
We may have just seen the worst miss of the season, or maybe even this decade.
That would have been a stunning solo goal, jeez.
Interesting…
This place is deadly silent, the Manchester United fans are so flat after their sides start to this game.
‘It took a bit longer, but nice to not have that question now. When we get the second win will be the next question,’ says Kieran McKenna in the match programme.
He’s of course referring to Ipswich’s first home win of the season against Chelsea last time out at Portman Road. Brighton are winless in their last eight and a win tonight for Ipswich would be huge, taking them three points clear of the relegation zone.
Southampton have not had much to cheer about this season, but the rise of Dibling has been something they can shout about.
Will this equaliser ever come?
Manchester United will need to be on red alert when he picks up the ball tonight because he could do damage.
He was just lucky his fellow defenders were heroic for the next 60 minutes.
Ruben Amorim needs time to implement his system and how he wants to play. You need to have time to train and work on that but you don’t have time in the Premier League, which makes it so difficult for new managers.
Sometimes new managers come in and get results but then start to suffer losses which makes it more difficult to get into your rhythm because the confidence drops and people start to talk about your form.
A lot of criticism at times towards him as well, which is not always easy for a manager. But the last couple of games, especially against Liverpool, you see that the team is accelerating. At least they are showing a lot of character, heart and desire in how they want to play which is very positive for the team and for the fans.
Of course, they’re not there yet, they still need to do a lot of things better, especially on the ball and getting things right by creating more opportunities and being more dominant. If United can keep this up things will be very positive and aim for European qualification.
It’s fair to say, things aren’t looking good.
He has just posted his reaction to the team news and if you fancy hearing what he said, go click the video below.
That moment is now nearly 15 minutes away, so I think it’s time we all get excited.
Manchester United are trying to take control of this game, but they don’t really look like scoring yet.
We have to start with the north London derby, don’t we?
The feeling is a bit different, but we know for sure that it’s going to be a tough match. At home, our fans expect more from us and that’s extra pressure, but we are ready to face this team, and we are going to face the game in the right way.
I want to see the same behavior when we don’t have the ball and set-pieces, the small things. Then we have to be better with the ball.
We will try to improve the last game and that’s what we are going to do. In the stadium they Southampton don’t have the pressure, the pressure is on our team, and we have to understand that.
On Harry Maguire being benched:
It’s been a cracking week of footie, it really has.
With the word fearless coming up, I couldn’t not speak about Tyler Dibling.
A defensive switch.
Kaoru Mitoma breaks the deadlock!
Ohhhhh…
The Southampton winger makes Leny Yporo look a right fool as he punches the ball off him before giving him the runaround.
United’s co-owner, Sir Jikm Ratcliffe, has decided to have a look at how his team are getting on tonight.
21:19, 60′
SITTER! Man United 0-1 Southampton
By Harry Bamforth
They don’t have anywhere near that quality anymore, but I guess, neither do United.
United though… yikes.
At the second bit of the cherry, Diallo breaks the Southampton resistance by smashing the ball low past Aaron Ramsdale.
They have been missing this feel-good factor and tonight it is here in bucket loads.
maybe he will be smiling come the end of the night, though. We will have to wait and see.
21:32, 73′
SUBSTITUTION: Man United 0-1 Southampton
By Harry Bamforth
It’s not a great effort though and it bounces straight into the gloves of Aaron Ramsdale.
Manchester United are starting to knock at the door more frequently now.
The Premier League is on, again?
Amad Diallo, is that really you?
The Manchester United fans are not happy they have not got a corner, and it’s easy to see why.
He then sets his sights on goal and attempts to fire the ball across Andre Onana into the far corner.
We knew Antony was coming on, but I was not expecting Kobbie Mainoo to be the player hooked.
That is truly sensational. WOW.
It makes the Moroccan look a little bit silly as the crowd voice their frustration.
I haven’t seen this many smiles since looking around the cinema after watching Wicked last month.
It looks like Ruben Amorim is going to make a change at the break.
That was their moment.
20:53
WATCH: Saints take shock lead
By Harry Bamforth
Amad Diallo gets involved at last and whips in a dangerous ball, but nobody can get on the end of it.
21:39, 79′
BIG SAVE! Man United 0-1 Southampton
By Harry Bamforth
Maybe it’s both.
21:13, 53′
SUBSTITUTION: Man United 0-1 Southampton
By Harry Bamforth
Now, that really does say something.
How is the system going to change? We will have to see, I’m guessing Bruno Fernandes will drop back.
18:34
United aim to end losing streak
By Harry Bamforth
The Ivorian has been brilliant for Manchester United this season, but he is having an off-night.
Well, Manchester United have finally woken up. About time, eh?
Suleman connects with the ball well but Onana denies him.
I have to say, I do feel a little for Marcus Rashford at the moment – it must be hard.
Manchester United are making them look like prime Barcelona.
Ohhh, interesting…
Old Trafford has been the Theatre of Nightmares for Manchester United recently, not dreams.
Manchester United have lost the momentum they were starting to build up.
Kamaldeen Sulemana absolutely takes Leny Yoro to the cleaners for the millionth time tonight.
Oh dear, United are already resorting to potshots.
The Ivorian has turned this game around right at the death to send Old Trafford absolutely bananas.
I won’t be giving away any spoilers, so you have to watch it!
This time Alejandro Garnacho has a pop himself, but he bends the ball straight into the gloves of Aaron Ramsdale.
19:09
Salt’s team news reaction
By Harry Bamforth
18:58
‘United can aim for Europe’
By Harry Bamforth
Follow Mail Sport’s live blog for the latest live, score, team news and updates from the two Thursday night Premier League games of Manchester United vs Southampton and Ipswich Town vs Brighton.
The ball is cut out to him on the edge of the area, and he smashes it low into the back of the net.
Oh, what a ball that is from Bruno Fernandes!
You guys are going to do a lot of reading tonight, so maybe for just a couple of minutes, you’d appreciate listening to something instead.
Alejandro Slides the ball across the box for Antony to tap home at the back post, but he hits the ball back to where it came from.
Kamaldeen Sulemana has Leny Yoro on toast!
Southampton hadn’t scored from a corner in the Premier League this season. Well, in comes Dr. United.
Everybody can see in some games we are a different team. We have to be really consistent on that. I’m trying to do the same things to explain the strengths and weaknesses of every team. And then tomorrow we have to perform and have to understand the expectations are bigger.
We have to have more ball and control more of the game. That is sometimes harder against these teams because we have a lack of goals. We don’t spend a lot of time doing it. This team in the past scored a lot of goals from transitions, not from building up in the opponent’s half. We have a lot to improve but the way we face the game has to be the same.
There is never excuses. We have to accept when we have a bad performance, when the opponent is better. In the small details, it’s really clear for everybody, if we are the same team we were against Liverpool and Arsenal we will be a better team against any opponent.
I had this feeling, especially at home in the last games, that we were easy to play against. We have to be honest with that. If we faced the competitions in the right way, we will be tough to beat for any opponent. That’s what I felt in the last two games.
The biggest problem in our team is the lack of goals and lack of ability to play in the last third of the opponent to control the games. We know that, we need time to train, we try to pass the information but it’s harder for us to score in that way than in transitions.
Southampton hearts are broken.
20:17, 16′
CHANCE! Man United 0-0 Southampton
By Harry Bamforth
18:19
Are Saints the worst PL side ever?
By Harry Bamforth
It means Ipswich slip back below Wolves and into the bottom three. Not their best night.
The ball goes miles over the Southampton goalline before Aaron Ramsdale tries to clear, but the referee says play on.
Manchester United may be the Robin Hood of the Premier League, but surely even they won’t drop points to Southampton.
Manchester United fans have been starved of joy in recent times, but Ruben Amorim is allowing them to begin believing again.
21:52
Goal:Man United 3-1 Southampton (Diallo 90 +4′)
By Harry Bamforth
I can’t lie, though, I have rarely ever seen him happy since taking over the wheel at United.
It’s all Manchester United now, they are desperate to find this winner.
All square at the break.
18:10
United craving consistency
By Harry Bamforth
Southampton nearly make it two within a matter of minutes as Tyler Dibling has a rack, but it’s saved by Andre Onana.
I mean, I can’t quite believe just how poor that defending is form the hosts.
He eventually gets the shot away and Matthijs de Ligt gets in the way, but it looks like it hits his back.
The midfielder is one of three changes to Town’s draw away at Fulham, with Wes Burn and Omari Hutchinson coming in.
Another chance, another miss from Southampton.
19:12
Hello, Jim!
By Harry Bamforth
They belt out ‘Take Me Home, United Road’ at the top of their lungs as the two teams huddle for the final time.
Can United save themselves form embarrassment?
You know that pre-match optimism I was talking about, well, that has already gone.
Diallo has been involved in nine goals in his last 12 Premier League starts for United. Three of those goals and six assists.
21:48, 90′
Goal:Man United 2-1 Southampton (Diallo 90′)
By Harry Bamforth
This feels weird to write, but there is actually an air of positivity around Manchester United at the moment.
The Southampton man is booked for asking John Brooks to book Amad Diallo.
The Brazilian makes a good run to get on the end of Bruno Fernandes’ pass before cocking his leg to pull the trigger.
The majority of our focus will be on proceedings at Old Trafford, but don’t worry, we will give you major updates from Portman Road too.
Ruben Amorim, Man United boss, speaking to TNT Sports:
The players simply have to turn up tonight, otherwise, the signs of progress they have made under Ruben Amorim will be forgotten.
I am optimistic about our chances. We can do it. It’s a good game. The guys are working well. They are a little bit more confident after the Swansea game and we will see tomorrow.
We can think even that we can do something in the first 20 minutes of the game. I want my team to play with confidence and aggressiveness and try to do something.
Manchester United changed the manager, they changed the style of the play. They are playing 3-4-3 like Amorim did in Sporting. I think they are trying to find the right way.
He’s a young, talented manager and he’s starting to do quite well. They did some good games and some bad games. It’s normal when you change the style of football. He was really good at Sporting. I think he will do a good job.
I was watching him live when they played against Atalanta. They are like 3-4-3 classic we can say. With Sporting Lisbon it was almost perfection. I think he wants to do the same thing at Manchester United.
There is a sense of calm around Old Trafford on the approach this evening – not something that seems to last long in these parts in truth – but it actually feels a pretty big night for Ruben Amorim to see if his players are more than just a group that can motivate themselves for the ‘big games’.
They did well against Liverpool at Anfield and dug in admirably at Arsenal and while tonight is a ‘more winnable’ game on paper, United have long shown a propensity to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Team news will be on the way shortly but regardless of the side sent out by Amorim, he has to see that those last two games meant something and a corner was turned or else all their progress will appear for nothing.
18:26
All smiles in United camp
By Harry Bamforth
United may be deep in the bottom half, but Ruben Amorim has won over the fanbase with wins away at Manchester City and Arsenal, and somehow managed to avoid defeat at Liverpool.
I am still dumbfounded at how Southampton are not ahead. It’s crazy.
20:14, 13′
BIG SAVE! Man United 0-0 Southampton
By Harry Bamforth
Alejandro Garnacho keeps his place but of course there is not even a spot on the bench for Marcus Rashford.
I’m sure he will be looking to add to his brace from the weekend.
The ball comes back out to Mateus Fernandes six yards out and somehow Onana reacts to deny him at point-blank range.
21:05, 47′
CHANCE! Man United 0-1 Southampton
By Harry Bamforth
20:42
‘Delap’s frustrations boil over’
By Aadam Patel At Portman Road
If you missed the night’s action, I really feel for you…
My prediction would be yes, but we will see.
Sulemana tries to bend the ball into the far corner but yet again he can’t hit the target.
A pinball begins in the box but eventually, Southampton win a foul – I’m not sure why.
Where to start with Southampton?
21:51, 92′
Man United 2-1 Southampton
By Harry Bamforth
Tyler Dibling does brilliantly to dance into the box and it looks like he is going to score, but his effort is stopped by Onana.
19:28
‘United’s performances still have to improve’
By Harry Bamforth
The atmosphere is brilliant, the home fans sing ‘Hey, Jude’, like pretty much every other club, before the ball is rolling.
Liam Delap has been at it with the Brighton defence all game and eventually Delap’s frustrations boil over as he’s booked for a naughty push on Joel Veltman. Neither side yet to have a clear cut chance here.
20:41, 40′
Man United 0-0 Southampton
By Harry Bamforth
Ivan Juric, Southampton boss, speaking on Wednesday:
21:37, 78′
Man United 0-1 Southampton
By Harry Bamforth
I’m not sure how much he Amorim has learned. It’s been a really flat performance, lack of energy. Where’s the quality coming from?
Southampton have been the better team. I’ve really enjoyed watching them. They really should be two or three up.
20:22, 20′
BIG MISS! Man United 0-0 Southampton
By Harry Bamforth
Oh, Mateus Fernandes… have you not learned?
A massive chance goes begging.
The Saints goalkeeper makes a monster save to deny Bruno Fernandes as the United keeper tries to chip him.
20:20, 19′
Man United 0-0 Southampton
By Harry Bamforth
21:21, 62′
Man United 0-1 Southampton
By Harry Bamforth
But somehow, the Argentine drives his effort wide. I really don’t know how he has missed that.
Adam Armstong replaces the attacker, while Flynn Downes is on for Joe Aribo.
20:46, 45′
CHANCE! Man United 0-1 Southampton
By Harry Bamforth
Old Trafford is certainly alive tonight.
I mean, that was clear as day.
Without further ado, let’s get this show on the road.
The striker does brilliantly down the left before squaring the ball for Garnacho to finish.
The United captain slices open Southampton like a knife through butter with a lovely slide-rule pass.
His celebrations are something to behold, the Japanese winger goes mental.
I have a lot of admiration for Manchester United’s performance in their FA Cup win against Arsenal, especially to grind it out with 10 men for an hour after Diogo Dalot was sent off.
But these next three games, at home against Southampton, Brighton, and Rangers, are a very different test for them compared to their trips to Emirates Stadium and Anfield in the past week.
I do not want to devalue what United did against Arsenal or Liverpool but they were games where the expectation was not on them to get results.
We know United are good on the counter-attack away from home, but against Saints at Old Trafford, the onus is on them to take the game to the opposition.
Still, United should expect to extend the streak tonight.
The Saints have just five minutes of stoppage time to find an equaliser, but it doesn’t look likely now.
What a mess of a goal that is…
If they lose this, I will be stunned… but it looks like we are heading that way.
This does not look like the side that got a point at Anfiedl and beat Arsenal at the Emirates. Far from it.
Aaron Ramsdale to the rescue for Southampton!
Are we sure Manchester United have gained confidence?
Well, four minutes of pure carnage just before half-time may have just turned their season around.
20:27, 25′
CHANCE! Man United 0-0 Southampton
By Harry Bamforth
I mean, he doesn’t exactly look happy to be there,e does he?
Can he make an impact?
This game is starting to p;lay out the way we expected.
Paul Scholes, former Man United midfielder, on TNT Sports:
18:23
Juric: ‘I want my team to play with confidence’
By Harry Bamforth
Normal service resumes for United.
I’m not sure Ruben Amorim will be best pleased with these opening 10 minutes.
19:44
Kick-off closing in…
By Harry Bamforth
20:17
HALF-TIME: Ipswich 0-0 Brighton
By Harry Bamforth
Both sides turn to the bench.
Harry is tired and he had a tough week. I think Southampton will play without a striker and with more speed in front. Lenny is a quick player and he is a top talent. He is ready to cope with the demands of the game.
They have arrived super early. I mean, this video was taken before the sun even went down, so my guess is around 3pm.
Well, don’t worry, our reporter Nathan Salt has got you!
Can they deliver?
18:45
Man United Team News – Yoro STARTS
By Harry Bamforth
Truly terrible.
I have no idea how Antony has not just levelled the game. I really am lost for words.
The only way that changes is if they concede first, and my word, that would be one hell of a shock.
The defeat to Newcastle United was the worst of the lot, they were absolutely shocking that day. It was actually hard to watch.
He could become the first African player to reach double figures for goal involvement in a single campaign for the Red Devils if he scores or assists tonight.
Don’t blame me if they do, United fans…
Amad Diallo is a hat-trick hero!
21:22, 63′
SUBSTITUTION: Man United 0-1 Southampton
By Harry Bamforth
Oh, hello Alejandro!
Paul Scholes, former Man United midfielder, on TNT Sports:
What are Southampton doing?
18:54
No Rashford… again
By Harry Bamforth
20:04, 4′
Man United 0-0 Southampton
By Harry Bamforth
He does get the shot away but it’s deflected over the bar by Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
Ipswich don’t clear there lines from a free-kick and Georginio Rutter manages to scramble the ball home.
Speaking of the devil, here he is again!
I’m sure they will find their shooting boots in the second half. Well, I hope they do.
Will they get to use those voices to cheer goals in the next 90 minutes?
United have lost their last three league matches at home, which is the first time that’s happened in 45 years.
But the ball takes a deflection off of his own player and dribbles wide of the post.
Leny Yoro cost Manchester United just short of £60million, but he is being taken to school by Kamaldeen Sulemena.
Still, there is not even a hint of a smile. I wish they would just cheer up even a little bit.
Southampton want a penalty for a handball, but it’s waved away by John Brooks.
It looks like we may never see him pull on the red shirt of United ever again.
However, the last two weeks have brought a renewed optimism to the football club that has not been felt for what feels like a decade.
That’s a positive start to the half for the hosts.
Manchester United may be bad at home, but my word, Southampton are shocking away.
He keeps the ball in but listens to the appeals that the ball is out from the United fans, rather than playing on.
Tonight they have the chance to back up those impressive displays away from home against the big boys as they face a Southampton side who look likely to become the worst this division has ever seen.
I’m not sure whether the Saints are just playing out of their skin, or United are truly atrocious.
We all love musicals, don’t we?
There it is!
Right then, our first game of the night is now underway.
United need to get going fast, or this game will be over.
19:30
KICK-OFF: Ipswich 0-0 Brighton
By Harry Bamforth
The lowest points a team has had at the halfway stage of a Premier League campaign and avoided relegation is 10 by West Bromwich Albion in 2004-05.
United used to relish playing at home, every single team was frightened of going to Old Trafford because they would get slapped about.
21:02
‘A really flat performance’
By Harry Bamforth
19:40
‘Interesting to see how Garnacho gets on’
By Harry Bamforth
Luckily for him, the United players freeze too and eventually plays on.
Oh my word that is a series of stunning events. Tyler Dibling surges into the United area with purpose before Andre Onana produces two point-blank stunning saves to deny Dibling and then the follow-up from Mateus Fernandes.
I remember Amorim waxing lyrical about how Onana ‘saved them’ at Ipswich in his first game in charge. Well, he’s come up massive for the team again there.
20:30, 28′
DOUBLE SAVE! Man United 0-0 Southampton
By Harry Bamforth
21:44, 86′
Man United 1-1 Southampton
By Harry Bamforth
Southampton don’t look like a team sitting bottom of the table, that’s for sure.
First, they found an equaliser through the head of Spurs striker Dominic Solanke, before Leandro Trossard turned the game on its head. After that, the Emirates was deafening – they believe.
Manchester United are not really bringing the game to Southampton, they aren’t used to getting this much time on the ball.
Oooooh…
