Manchester United 3-1 Southampton: Amad’s Hat-Trick Seals Stunning Comeback
Old Trafford, January 16, 2025
Manchester United fought back from a first-half deficit to secure a dramatic 3-1 victory over Southampton at Old Trafford, with Amad stealing the show with a stunning late hat-trick.
United struggled to break down a resolute Southampton side after falling behind to an unfortunate Manuel Ugarte own goal just before half-time. However, Amad’s brilliance in the final ten minutes turned the game on its head, as the Ivorian winger struck three times to ensure a crucial three points for Ruben Amorim’s side.
First Half – Frustrating Opening
United entered the game aiming to start 2025 strongly at Old Trafford but found themselves frustrated early on. The visitors, despite being eight points adrift at the bottom of the table, showed attacking intent, with Kamaldeen Sulemana and Mateus Fernandes testing Andre Onana.
While the Reds struggled to create clear chances, there were flashes of danger, particularly when Rasmus Hojlund charged down the left and picked out Alejandro Garnacho, whose curling effort drifted wide. There were also strong penalty appeals when Kyle Walker-Peters appeared to handle in the box, but referee John Brooks waved them away.
Onana was then called upon to make a brilliant double save to keep the scores level, denying Mateus Fernandes from close range. Just as United looked to be heading into half-time on level terms, disaster struck. A Southampton corner took a cruel deflection off Ugarte’s shoulder, wrongfooting Onana and crossing the line to give the visitors the lead in the 43rd minute.
The setback nearly worsened moments later when Tyler Dibling’s curling effort forced another smart stop from Onana, ensuring United only trailed by one at the break.
Second Half – Amad The Hero
Sensing the need for change, Amorim made three substitutions early in the second half, introducing Antony, Toby Collyer, and Joshua Zirkzee to inject attacking impetus.
Antony almost made an immediate impact, forcing a save from Aaron Ramsdale, and later spurned a golden chance at the back post from Garnacho’s driven cross. Despite United dominating possession, Southampton remained compact and difficult to break down.
With time running out, United finally found the breakthrough in the 82nd minute, courtesy of Amad. The winger cut inside and saw his first effort blocked by Walker-Peters, but he retrieved the ball and rifled a powerful shot past Ramsdale, igniting the Old Trafford crowd.
Determined to push for all three points, Amad struck again in the 90th minute. Christian Eriksen, having come on moments earlier, lofted a beautiful ball into the box, where Amad stretched to meet it on the volley and put United ahead.
Four minutes into stoppage time, the Ivorian completed his hat-trick in emphatic fashion. Seizing on a defensive lapse from Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Amad coolly slotted the ball into an empty net to seal the victory. Old Trafford erupted as the winger celebrated his finest performance in a United shirt.
Match Details:
Manchester United XI: Onana; Yoro (Maguire 83), De Ligt, Martinez; Amad, Ugarte (Collyer 54), Mainoo (Antony 46), Mazraoui (Eriksen 83); B. Fernandes (c), Garnacho; Hojlund (Zirkzee 53).
Unused substitutes: Bayindir, Malacia, Kukonki, Casemiro.
Goals: Amad 82, 90, 90+4.
Booked: Martinez.
Southampton XI: Ramsdale, Bree, Bednarek (c) (Wood 84), Harwood-Bellis; Sugawara, Ugochukwu (Onuachu 83), Aribo (Downes 73), Walker-Peters; M. Fernandes (Armstrong 73); Sulemana, Dibling (Smallbone 63).
Unused substitutes: McCarthy, Manning, Lallana, Archer.
Goal: Ugarte 43 (og).
Booked: Dibling, M. Fernandes, Downes.
Attendance: [Not provided]
Post-Match Reactions
United manager Ruben Amorim praised his team’s resilience: “We never gave up. Amad was outstanding, and his performance was the difference. We knew we had to push for the win, and the players showed great character.”
Amad, reflecting on his hat-trick, said: “It’s an unbelievable feeling. I just wanted to help the team, and I’m so happy we got the win. The fans were incredible tonight.”
United will look to build on this victory as they prepare for their next Premier League clash, aiming to continue their push up the table.
