17-01-2025: Amad Diallo Hat-Trick Seals Dramatic Comeback Victory for Manchester United Over Southampton Review By Totalsportek
Manchester United secured a thrilling 3-1 comeback victory over Southampton in the Premier League on Thursday, thanks to a late-game heroics from Amad Diallo. The Ivorian winger netted a sensational hat trick, dragging the Red Devils to a much-needed win at Old Trafford. Despite a poor start and falling behind to a Manuel Ugarte own goal, United rallied in the closing moments to secure all three points.
A Shaky Start for United
The game began with Manchester United struggling to find their rhythm. With Southampton sitting at the bottom of the league table, many expected an easy outing for the Red Devils, but it was anything but straightforward.
United’s lack of confidence on the ball was evident throughout the first half, as the visitors dominated possession and created better chances. Goalkeeper André Onana was forced into action multiple times, including a brilliant double save to deny Southampton’s Tyler Dibling and Mateus Fernandes.
As halftime approached, United looked set to regroup with the scoreline intact. However, misfortune struck when the ball deflected off Manuel Ugarte’s back and into the net from a corner, giving Southampton a deserved 1-0 lead at the break.
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Match Stats
Here is a summary of the key match statistics:
| Statistic | Manchester United | Southampton |
| Possession (%) | 59.5 | 40.5 |
| Shots on Goal | 9 | 5 |
| Total Shot Attempts | 23 | 13 |
| Yellow Cards | 1 | 3 |
| Corner Kicks | 5 | 4 |
| Saves | 5 | 6 |
Diallo Sparks a Late Comeback
Manchester United emerged from the tunnel with renewed energy in the second half. Ruben Amorim’s men began creating more opportunities, but frustration mounted as Antony missed a golden chance from close range.
The breakthrough finally came in the 82nd minute. Amad Diallo’s persistence paid off when a deflected shot found its way into the net, bringing United level. The home crowd roared with relief and anticipation as the Red Devils pushed for a winner.
In the 90th minute, Diallo delivered a moment of magic. Christian Eriksen’s perfectly weighted pass found the Ivorian, who calmly slotted the ball past Southampton’s goalkeeper. The stadium erupted in celebration as United took a 2-1 lead.
Diallo completed his hat trick in stoppage time, capitalising on a defensive error by Southampton. His third goal not only sealed the victory but also etched his name into the Premier League record books as one of the youngest players to score a hat trick for Manchester United.
Diallo’s Historic Performance
Amad Diallo’s performance was nothing short of sensational. He joined an elite group of players to score three goals in the final 10 minutes of a match.
| Amad Diallo’s Hat-Trick by Minute |
| 82nd Minute: Equaliser |
| 90th Minute: Winning Goal |
| 90+4 Minute: Hat-Trick Completion |
At just 21 years old, Diallo became the youngest player since Wayne Rooney to score a Premier League hat trick for Manchester United.
“In football, you have to believe,” Diallo said in a post-match interview. We know we have quality players, but sometimes we need to be more hungry in the final third. Today we showed at the end that we were the best team on the pitch.”
Southampton’s Struggles Continue
Southampton, sitting at the bottom of the league table, showed resilience and created enough chances to trouble United. However, their inability to capitalise on opportunities and defensive errors in the final minutes cost them dearly.
We are innocent, like kids, playing well, and then they score, Southampton manager Ivan Juric lamented after the match. “We have to be more evil. There is a moment you have to be Italian. We are the best in the world at this mentality, and my players are missing it.”
United’s Position in the League
This victory lifted Manchester United to 12th place in the Premier League standings, with 26 points from 21 matches. The result was a much-needed boost for the team, who were on the verge of a fourth successive home league defeat—something not seen since 1934.
However, despite the win, the performance left much to be desired. Fans at Old Trafford were vocal in their dissatisfaction, indicating that the team still has work to do under new management.
Looking Ahead
The win against Southampton offers Manchester United a platform to build upon. With Amad Diallo proving his worth as a game-changer, the team will look to harness this momentum in the coming fixtures. Meanwhile, Southampton’s survival hopes look increasingly bleak as they remain rooted to the bottom of the table, 10 points adrift of safety.
In what was a rollercoaster evening at Old Trafford, the brilliance of Amad Diallo ensured Manchester United emerged victorious, keeping their season alive and offering a glimpse of hope for better days ahead.
