Manchester United and Southampton played out a goalless draw at Old Trafford on Sunday as United further dented their chances of winning the Premier League.
The home side came into this game hoping to extend their unbeaten run at home to 22 games, but were frustrated by the saints who came into the on winning run of two games following their back to back victories against Chelsea and Leicester.
The saints kicked off the game on the front foot with Marauding fullback Kyle walker-Peters firing from 20 yards, but David de Gea was in position to deal with it untroubled in the 10th minute.
United then responded with their own attack when Marcus Rashford was put through by his captain Bruno Fernandes, but on fomem striker’s effort was thwarted by the Saints custodian Gavin Bazunu in the 15th minute.
Eight minutes later, De Gea was called into action, and with a reflex reaction save, he dealt with Theo Walcott’s powerful header following a cross the left.
Southampton got another chance in the 23rd minute, but Rafael Varane’s perfect block saved the hosts from conceding.
United then saw Brazilian midfielder Casemiro sent off in the 33rd minute for a nasty tackle on Southampton’s, but with ten men, they were able to contain a determined Southampton team. It was Casemiro’s second red card in five games having gotten his first career red against Crystal Palace at the start of February.
The resultant free kick taken by Ward Prowse missed the target as it deflected for a fruitless corner kick in the 35th minute.
Three minutes after the former Real Madrid midfield getting his matching orders, Antony was fouled at the edge of the box, but Varane’s effort from the resultant free kick was dealt with Bazunu to keep the scoreline goalless at the halftime break.
After recess, Wan Bissaka came to his team’s rescue when he cleared a would be opener off the line to deny the visiting side jubilation in the 48th minute.
The Saints then got a freekick! Ward-Prowse was the man for the job, but his free kick, one that would have seen him equal David Beckham’s record of 18 freekicks in the Premier League went whiskers wide.
Former Arsenal winger Theo Walcott was put through on a counter attack but De Hear was at his best to keep out his effort with a full stretch dive to Parry the Swift forward’s effort in the 63rd minute.
Erik Ten Hag’s team through Fernande thought they had gotten the breakthrough, but the Portuguese well drilled effort ricocheted off the inside in the 67th minute.
The Saints continued their surge upfront! Walker-Peters came closest with a long range effort from 20 yards, but was denied by the upright with 20 minutes left on the clock.
Manchester United will take the point. They were lucky to not lose all the three point. They remain placed third, but now with 16 points adrift of table leaders Arsenal.
Southampton meanwhile remain bottom of the table with 22 points.
