Late Southampton equalizer denies Man United move into the top four

 

Manchester United narrowly missed an opportunity to move into the top four of the EPL table after they conceded a 96th-minute equalizer to draw 2-2 against Southampton.

After Chelsea lost 3-0 to Sheffield United and Leicester lost 4-1 to AFC Bournemouth last the weekend, Manchester United had a golden opportunity to move into the Champions League places in the game against Southampton.

The match was eagerly anticipated by Manchester United fans worldwide as the Red Devils had been in fine form and needed a crucial win to leapfrog both Chelsea and Leicester City to the third position.

However, in the 12th minute, Man United, when behind when Stuart Armstrong rifled home. The goal came after Danny Ings stole the ball from Paul Pogba the edge of the area, then gave the ball to Nathan Redmond. Redmond sent a neat pass to the back post, where Stuart Armstrong finished it excellently.

United equalized in the 20th minute when Aaron Wan-Bissaka found his way through a tight Southampton backline with some nice footwork, but Martial was crucial to the goal. Pogba sent a good ball into the area, and Martial managed to nip the ball to Marcus Rashford. Rashford confidently leveled things up with his 16th goal of the campaign.

The third goal of the encounter came minutes after. In the 23rd minutes, Anthony Martial got on the scoresheet. Bruno Fernandes was the provider of the assist, but the goal resulted from a brilliant individual effort from Martial.

The game progressed with both Manchester United and Southampton missing chances and creating openings. In injury time, the Saints equalized with Michael Obafemi’s goal from a last-gasp corner, securing a point for them.

Manchester United are still unbeaten since January and played an unchanged side for the fifth consecutive league game.

A win would have catapulted them to third place, but the draw keeps them in the fifth spot on goal difference. They are level on 59 points with Leicester, who are in fourth.

The Red Devils will play Leicester City on the final day of the season.

 

 

Written by: Collins Nwokolo