Manchester United’s French defender Raphaël Varane (C) missed a chance during the English Premier League match against Southampton at Old Trafford on 12 March 2023 (photo by Darren Staples/AFP). United survived Casemiro’s early red card and an impressive display by a struggling Southampton, as the pulsating encounter ended goalless.
Erik ten Hag stressed the need for his side to be at their best as the Red Devils returned to Premier League duty for the first time since last weekend’s historic 7‑0 thrashing of Liverpool. United showed impressive character by beating Real Betis on Thursday and then produced a display of strength to draw 0‑0 with Southampton after Casemiro’s second sending‑off of the season, Live Score reports. The Brazil international looked gutted when referee Anthony Taylor brandished a straight red in the 34th minute after VAR advised a review of his challenge on Carlos Alcaraz. United felt aggrieved by the decision, as they had been when penalty appeals were rejected before the break.
Southampton’s performance belied their wretched season to date. Aaron Wan‑Bissaka cleared off the line shortly after the break, and James Ward‑Prowse saw a free‑kick graze the bar. David De Gea and Gavin Bazunu produced outstanding saves, including Bazunu tipping a Bruno Fernandes shot onto the post before Kyle Walker‑Peters hit the woodwork at the other end. United’s final Premier League match of the month ended in a hard‑fought point, a positive start to a key week as Ruben Selles’ Saints battle for survival.
Southampton pressed well from the outset and looked solid until Fernandes unlocked the back line in the 16th minute, threading a pass to Marcus Rashford, whose low shot was saved well by Bazunu. The Saints’ goalkeeper darted off his line to frustrate the forward again soon after, before De Gea produced a key save after Theo Walcott met a floated Romain Perraud cross with a six‑yard header. Kamaldeen Sulemana was denied by a Varane block before United were hit by a 34th‑minute blow.
Casemiro was initially booked for a challenge on Alcaraz that left his right foot on the midfielder’s shin. VAR adviser Andre Marriner prompted Taylor to review the incident, and the referee issued a straight red, leaving the emotional United midfielder in disbelief. Ward‑Prowse’s resulting free‑kick ricocheted off the wall and just wide, seemingly lighting a fire under United. Bazunu brilliantly prevented Varane from turning in a Fernandes free‑kick, and the United skipper led angry appeals for a penalty, claiming Walker‑Peters had fouled him in the box. Both the referee and VAR dismissed the claims, as did the appeals for handball against Armel Bella‑Kotchap. Boos greeted the half‑time whistle while De Gea muttered to referee Taylor.
The break seemed to take the sting out of the Old Trafford fury, but Southampton came close to a 49th‑minute opener. Walker‑Peters darted past Rashford and sent a driven cross that substitute Scott McTominay deflected towards his own goal, with Wan‑Bissaka scrambling to clear off the line. Southampton threatened again in the 54th minute; Fernandes was adjudged to have fouled the impressive Romeo Lavia, and Ward‑Prowse’s free‑kick grazed the top of the bar. The visitors continued to create chances from dead balls and open play, with De Gea pulling off a second big save in the 64th minute.
Wan‑Bissaka’s poor pass was intercepted, allowing Walcott to race through, only to be slowed by Lisandro Martínez before getting a shot that De Gea acrobatically pushed wide. Bazunu then produced an even better stop: Fernandes unleashed a rasping effort from the edge of the box that seemed destined for the net, but a brilliant fingertip save sent the ball onto the post and across the face of the goal. Moments later, the woodwork rattled again as Walker‑Peters thumped a drive off the far post. Southampton had further chances they failed to convert, while Rashford saw penalty appeals rejected and Alejandro Garnacho writhed in pain after a Walker‑Peters challenge in the box as the match wound down.
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