Premier League 2 Division One
Southampton vs. Manchester United
Venue: St. Mary’s Stadium
Date: Monday, 22 August 2016
Kick-off: 19:00 BST
Manchester United lost away at Southampton for the second season running at reserve team level.
Second half goals from Josh Sims and Jack Stephens secured the victory for the hosts, three days after the first teams played each other.
United skipper James Weir had two golden opportunities before the break that could have altered the dimension of the game, but sadly it wasn’t to be.
Dean Henderson was on hand to palm away Olufela Olomola’s strike early on, as Weir’s attempt fell over the bar after a one-two with Scott McTominay at the other end, with the latter also firing over in a later move.
Southampton’s chances fell the way of Jake Hesketh whose curled effort was tipped over, with Thomas O’Connor’s drive falling wide and Olomola’s volleying also off target.
Goalkeeper Harry Lewis’ spill from a United corner left Weir with an open goal, but he somehow directed his shot wide, as half-time arrived with the game goalless.
After the interval, Matty Willock curled a shot over, with Axel Tuanzebe denying Olomola with a fine block moments later.
The opening goal arrived after Tuanzebe’s headed clearance dropped to Sims, whose shot deflected in, wrong-footing Henderson in the process.
Despite Josh Harrop seeing a shot parried, the Saints doubled their lead, with Stephens heading home Harrison Reed’s corner.
It could’ve been three when Olomola half-volleyed over from Tyreke Johnson’s cross, and Sims seeing an attempt saved.
Willock’s shot deflected over, with Devonte Redmond’s flick from the resulting corner cleared off the line from Reed.
A disappointing result and performance on the whole, with those two missed chances from Weir in particular seemingly proving costly.
Take nothing away from Southampton though, who deserved the win, as Warren Joyce heads back to the drawing board.
His side take on Chelsea at Leigh Sports Village this coming Sunday, with a 13:05 BST kick-off time.
Line-ups:
Manchester United: Henderson; El Fitouri (Mitchell 62), Tuanzebe, Poole, Riley; McTominay, Redmond; Willock, Harrop, Kehinde; Weir.
Subs not used: O’Hara, Sang, Scott, Whelan.
Manager: Warren Joyce
Southampton: Lewis; Valery, Jones, Stephens, McQueen; O’Connor, Reed; Johnson (Gape 90+4), Hesketh, Sims (Mdlalose 85); Olomola (Wood 90+2).
Subs not used: Parkes, Willard.
Manager: Martin Hunter
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