Manchester United vs Southampton player ratings: Romelu Lukaku and Andreas Pereira star in win
Saints were in front at half-time through Yan Valery, but United hit back with a quickfire double-blow in the second half
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Your support makes all the difference.Romelu Lukaku's brace sealed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United a thrilling comeback win against struggling Southampton on an afternoon of exceptional goals.
While a lot has changed in the three months since Jose Mourinho's Reds overcame a two-goal deficit to frustrate Mark Hughes' men, these sides still managed to throw up another helter-skelter goalfest.
Yan Valery rocked Old Trafford with an outrageous opener for Ralph Hasenhuttl's visitors, only for Andreas Pereira to level with a similarly impressive effort and Lukaku to put United on course for victory.
Ever-improving James Ward-Prowse bent home a brilliant free-kick to hush Old Trafford, but Lukaku had the final say by lashing home to seal a 3-2 win that propels Solskjaer's side back into the top four.
It was a late gut punch for the visitors, in a game which could easily have got away from Saints in the early stages was it not for their goalkeeper Angus Gunn, who superbly denied Lukaku twice within the opening five minutes.
Player ratings
Manchester United
David de Gea - 5
A rare off-day. Little he could do about Ward-Prowse’s free-kick but moved too late for Valery’s opener.
Ashley Young - 6
Conceded the free-kick which Ward-Prowse scored from and made a poor choice from the throw-in which led to Valery’s goal.
Chris Smalling - 6
Not as impressive as in previous appearances since returning to the team but still helped limit the visitors to just three shots on target.
Victor Lindelof - 7
Like Smalling, won enough aerial duels to help keep Southampton at bay and was tidy with his distribution.
Luke Shaw - 7
Stood off Valery for Southampton’s opener but made up for it with his build-up play, having a hand in United’s last two goals.
Scott McTominay - 6
Not as influential as United’s other inexperienced midfielder. Guilty of a few sloppy passes but then so were several others.
Andreas Pereira - 8
Scored and assisted, and his goal was a beauty. Unrecognisable from the player who struggled against Reading and Burnley recently.
Paul Pogba - 6
Struggled to exert his usual influence in midfield and missed from the spot for the third time this season.
Romelu Lukaku - 8
Wasteful at the start but clinical when it counted. A Jekyll and Hyde display but ultimately United’s match-winner.
Marcus Rashford - 6
Likely still feeling the effects of Sunday’s ankle injury. Showed little of his recent form and looked a touch hesitant.
Alexis Sanchez - 5
One cute pass to put Luke Shaw in behind on the left was his biggest contribution. Departed injured and United suddenly picked up without him.
Substitute: Diogo Dalot - 8
Made a excellent, near-immediate impact after replacing Sanchez, bursting forward to set up Pereira’s equaliser.
Southampton
Angus Gunn - 8
Made a superb early stop from Lukaku and saved a late Pogba penalty. Shame about the three goals in between, which he could do little about.
Jannik Vestergaard - 6
The most impressive member of Southampton’s defence but missed a free header at close range early doors.
Maya Yoshida - 5
Appeared to be weak link in Southampton’s backline. Allowed Pereira to get away from him too easily in the build-up to Lukaku’s first.
Jan Bednarek - 5
Careless in possession, which allowed United to come back at Southampton.
Yan Valery - 8
Scored a stunning first senior goal to give Southampton the lead, though De Gea was disappointed with his role in it.
Oriol Romeu - 7
Unsettled United’s midfield in the first half but found himself over-ran as Solskjaer’s side built momentum.
James Ward-Prowse - 8
Brilliant free-kick levelled for 2-2. Could hardly have played it better, with De Gea left grasping at air.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg - 6
Impressed with the ball at his feet early on but will be disappointed to not win the ball from Fred in the move that led to Lukaku’s winner.
Ryan Bertrand - 5
A little fortunate to only receive a yellow for an unorthodox tackle on Lukaku. Nipped in behind on occasion but with little success.
Charlie Austin - 6
Offered energetic pressing but struggled to get himself involved on the ball before being substituted. Assisted Valery’s thunderbolt, all the same.
Nathan Redmond - 5
Struggled to get the better of Smalling and Lindelof. Like Austin, quiet for large spells but was not hooked by Hasenhuttl.
Additional reporting by PA
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