Southampton 0 Manchester United 1 match highlights: Red hot Romelu Lukaku bags his eighth in eight matches to maintain Red Devils’ unbeaten start to the season
BUSINESS AS usual for Romelu Lukaku and the Manchester United fans... but more trouble for Jose Mourinho as the Portuguese boss was sent to the stands.
With his side just moments away from three points, Mourinho encroached onto the pitch whilst trying to shout instructions to his players.
Lukaku sent United on their way – and the travelling supporters defied calls from anti-racism campaigners to stop singing the song which refers to the size of his manhood.
The number of goals he is scoring, though, is undeniably impressive – eight in eight appearances.
And this one was enough to beat a Southampton side which improved in the second half but has now failed to find the net in four of its five home matches this season.
United could get in trouble for the song and boss Mourinho faces disciplinary action, too, after being sent off in stoppage time as his team clung on to victory.
But in their eyes, any fines and bans will be worth the three points which they took away despite Southampton being by far the better side in the second half.
Little of note had occurred on or off the pitch until Lukaku broke the deadlock.
Dusan Tadic failed to prevent Ashley Young putting in a cross and neither Wesley Hoedt, who fell over, nor Ryan Bertrand could stop Lukaku getting his head to the ball.
Fraser Forster made an excellent save to keep it out, but was helpless as the Belgian scuffed home the rebound.
That was it for the first half, with United looking occasionally dangerous on the break and Southampton once more struggling to create goalscoring opportunities.
David De Gea made his first save of the match in the 56th minute, dealing comfortably with a Nathan Redmond effort.
Romeu had good chance to equalise with 13 minutes to go but after running on to Tadic’s pass he dragged his shot wide of the far post.
Mourinho was sent off in stoppage time, apparently for something he had said to the fourth official.
But he and United still went away with the three points, which is all they will care about.
FACTS, STATS, GOALS & LOLS
- Romelu Lukaku has now scored eight goals in his first eight matches since his £75m move from Everton
- It means the Belgian has now reached that figure quicker than the likes of Eric Cantona, Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Robin van Persie and Zlatan Ibrahimovic
- And the vocal away fans sang the controversial Lukaku chant that the player himself told them not to sing.
- Lukaku missed out on winning the Golden Boot to Harry Kane last season but he currently leads the scoring chart after six matches.
- Virgil van Dijk was forced to start the clash on the bench but boss Mauricio Pellegrino must have been tempted to start the wantaway defender.
- Southampton have now failed to score in nine of their last 11 Premier League matches at St Mary's.
- United have equalled a club-record 16 points after six matches following their fifth win.
- Phil Jones was down with a lengthy injury following a clash with his own team-mate Chris Smalling.
- Jose Mourinho was sent to the stands in the dying embers of the match.
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WHAT THEY SAID
Man United boss Jose Mourinho: "It is not always possible to operate at high quality but fought hard.
"We did what many teams in the Premier League do for 90 minutes, which was play with five defenders at the back.
"It was a hard game but I am really happy."
Saints striker Shane Long: "I thought we deserved more from the game. Manchester United are dangerous all over the pitch.
"They have physical players on set-pieces. To limit them to one goal was a credit to our team but it was just a shame we couldn't get that equaliser at the other end."
SOCIAL SAYS
DREAM TEAM RATINGS
Southampton: Forster 6, Cedric 5 (Ward-Prowse 83, 6), Yoshida 6, Hoedt 6, Bertrand 6, Lemina 7, Romeu 7, Redmond 7, Davis 6 (Gabbiadini 73, 6), Tadic 6, Long 6 (Austin 83, 5)
Subs not used: McCarthy, Hojbjerg, Pied, van Dijk
Man United: De Gea 7, Valencia 6, Bailly 7, Jones 8, Young 6, Fellaini 7, Matic 6, Mata 6 (Herrera 62, 6), Mkhitaryan 6 (Smalling 75, 6), Rashford 6 (Blind 90, 6), Lukaku 7
Subs not used: Romero, Lingard, Martial, Carrick