The match began unfavorably for United, as a misfortunate own goal by Manuel Ugarte just before halftime put Southampton ahead. Despite a lackluster first-half performance, United displayed resilience in the second half. Diallo equalized in the 82nd minute, then netted the go-ahead goal in the 90th minute, and sealed his hat-trick in stoppage time, ensuring a much-needed victory for his team.
This triumph elevated Manchester United to 12th place in the league standings, accumulating 26 points from 21 games. Conversely, Southampton remained at the bottom with six points, trailing the safety zone by ten points. United's manager, Ruben Amorim, acknowledged the team's need for greater consistency, while Southampton's manager, Ivan Juric, emphasized the importance of a stronger mentality among his players.
Diallo's performance was historically significant; at 22 years and 189 days old, he became the second-youngest player to score a Premier League hat-trick for Manchester United, a record surpassed only by Wayne Rooney. Additionally, he is the third player in Premier League history to score three times in the final ten minutes of a game.
This victory marked United's first win in seven matches across all competitions, providing a boost to the team's morale and offering hope for improved performances in the remainder of the season.
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