Bruno Fernandes' goal was his first for Manchester United this seasonManchester United ended a dismal sequence of seven straight Premier League away defeats as they secured a narrow win at Southampton.
United manager Erik ten Hag wanted his side to build on the thrilling victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford on Monday night and they were able to do so in the face of a spirited Southampton challenge.
Bruno Fernandes broke the deadlock 10 minutes after the break with a precise side-footed volley to give United the three points they just about deserved.
The Saints, who will take heart from their performance, survived an almighty goalmouth scramble in the first half when keeper Gavin Bazunu saved from Anthony Elanga and Armel Bella-Kotchap blocked Christian Eriksen's follow-up.
United broke through when Fernandes met Diogo Dalot's cross and as they closed out their second successive win and first league triumph on the road since February, Ten Hag was able to introduce Casemiro, the new £60m acquisition from Real Madrid, as a late substitute.
United grind out victory
United could not afford to slip up at Southampton after the manner in which they overcame Liverpool or they would face charges that they had simply raised their game against their greatest rivals.
And while it was hardly a vintage performance, this was still a vital win - and Ten Hag will take great satisfaction from a clean sheet and three points.
Fernandes' moment of quality settled a tight and competitive game in which United had to survive late pressure from the hosts with new defender Lisandro Martinez prominent and keeper David de Gea making a fine save from Joe Aribo's header.
The visiting fans demonstrated their delight at the final whistle - while once more noisily chanting their desire for the removal of owners the Glazers - and were also able to get a glimpse of new marquee signing Casemiro when he appeared as a late substitute to shore things up.
Not a classic, but United and Ten Hag will happily take this as they embark on the slow rebuild from the crisis that threatened to envelop the club after defeat at home to Brighton and that 4-0 debacle at Brentford.
More to follow.
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Line-ups
Southampton
Formation 4-2-3-1
31Bazunu
2Walker-Peters37Bella-Kotchap22Salisu19Djenepo
8Ward-Prowse45Lavia
9A Armstrong7Aribo24Elyounoussi
10Adams
31Bazunu2Walker-Peters37Bella-Kotchap22Salisu19DjenepoSubstituted forPerraudat 89'minutes8Ward-Prowse45Lavia9A ArmstrongSubstituted forMaraat 77'minutes7AriboSubstituted forLyancoat 89'minutes24ElyounoussiSubstituted forS Armstrongat 63'minutes10AdamsSubstitutes
1McCarthy4Lyanco6Romeu15Perraud17S Armstrong18Mara27Diallo35Bednarek43ValeryMan Utd
Formation 4-2-3-1
1de Gea
20Dalot19Varane6Martínez12Malacia
39McTominay14Eriksen
36Elanga8Bruno Fernandes25Sancho
10Rashford
1de Gea20DalotBooked at 50mins19Varane6Martínez12Malacia39McTominayBooked at 83mins14EriksenSubstituted forFredat 90+2'minutesBooked at 90mins36ElangaSubstituted forCasemiroat 80'minutes8Bruno Fernandes25SanchoSubstituted forCristiano Ronaldoat 68'minutes10RashfordSubstitutes
5Maguire7Cristiano Ronaldo17Fred18Casemiro22Heaton23Shaw29Wan-Bissaka34van de Beek49GarnachoReferee:Andy MadleyAttendance:31,196Live Text
Match ends, Southampton 0, Manchester United 1.
Second Half ends, Southampton 0, Manchester United 1.
Fred (Manchester United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Fred (Manchester United).
Stuart Armstrong (Southampton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Sékou Mara (Southampton) right footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by James Ward-Prowse with a cross.
Attempt missed. Mohammed Salisu (Southampton) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by James Ward-Prowse with a cross following a corner.
Corner, Southampton. Conceded by Tyrell Malacia.
Attempt blocked. Sékou Mara (Southampton) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Kyle Walker-Peters with a headed pass.
Substitution, Manchester United. Fred replaces Christian Eriksen.
Foul by Scott McTominay (Manchester United).
Sékou Mara (Southampton) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Substitution, Southampton. Lyanco replaces Joe Aribo.
Substitution, Southampton. Romain Perraud replaces Moussa Djenepo.
Attempt blocked. Armel Bella-Kotchap (Southampton) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is blocked. Assisted by Roméo Lavia.
Attempt missed. Armel Bella-Kotchap (Southampton) right footed shot from the right side of the box is too high. Assisted by Stuart Armstrong.
Offside, Manchester United. Diogo Dalot tries a through ball, but Cristiano Ronaldo is caught offside.
Scott McTominay (Manchester United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Scott McTominay (Manchester United).
Joe Aribo (Southampton) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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