SAINTS battled hard with Manchester United but a moment of quality from Bruno Fernandes was enough to see three Premier League points taken back to Sir Matt Busby Way.

The Portuguese international executed a superb first-time finish from a not-quite perfect delivery to leave Gavin Bazunu rooted, after the sides were level at half-time.

Saints had a number of chances to score in the first 45 minutes, but pushed and could not find a leveller against a resurgent United outfit.

Ralph Hasenhuttl made just one change from the 2-1 victory over Leicester City last time out in the Premier League, with match-winner Che Adams replacing Sekou Mara.

Elsewhere, all faith was retained and Manchester United did the same – Erik ten Hag naming the same XI that defeated Liverpool 2-1 at Old Trafford on Monday.

That meant only berths on the bench for Cristiano Ronaldo, club captain Harry Maguire and £60million signing Casemiro, who was set for his Premier League debut.

The two sides started the match evenly with Saints causing some problems at the back for United, Joe Aribo and Adam Armstrong having half-chances inside the area.

St Mary’s observed a standing ovation for the late, great David Armstrong in the 10th minute of the contest, following the sad news of his recent passing.

Saints should have gone behind but deservingly kept United out with a stunning triple-block from a combined 12 yards - Bazunu, Kyle Walker-Peters and then Armel Bella-Kotchap involved.

The home side continued to threaten with aerial balls to Adams, and half-chances turned to good ones after the 30 minute mark. Bella-Kotchap and Adams had the ball at feet in the area in quick succession but could not convert.

It was promising going into the break, and that continued in the second-half with Moussa Djenepo drawing a yellow card from Diogo Dalot and Bella-Kotchap’s goal-saving tackle on Anthony Elanga in the box.

However, Portuguese star Fernandes arrived onto a low cross from compatriot Dalot and left Bazunu no chance of dealing with a bottom-corner finish to open the scoring 10 minutes into the period.

Adams wanted a handball on Scott McTominay as Saints looked to respond, but nothing was awarded with the contact deemed unavoidable, before Aribo had a header well-saved by David De Gea.

Djenepo procured an excellent sliding tackle to stop substitute Ronaldo launching a counter-attack, and Hasenhuttl opted for a late change to the 4-2-2-2 to try and create something different.

It meant A Armstrong made way despite an impressive show, with young Mara on for this third Premier League appearance.

Mara’s attempted bicycle kick and first-time volley both lifted Saints supporters off their seats in six minutes of additional time, but there was to be no way through for Saints.

Saints: Bazunu; Walker-Peters, Bella-Kotchap, Salisu, Djenepo (Perraud, 88); Lavia, Ward-Prowse, Elyounoussi (S Armstrong, 63); Aribo, A Armstrong (Mara, 75), Adams.

Unused subs: Valery, Bednarek, Romeu, Diallo, McCarthy (g/k).

Man United: De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Malacia; McTominay, Eriksen (Fred, 90), Sancho (Ronaldo, 67), Fernandes, Elanga (Casemiro, 79); Rashford.

Unused subs: Maguire, Wan-Bissaka, Shaw, van de Beek, Garnacho, Heaton (g/k).

Booked: Dalot, McTominay, Fred.

Referee: Andy Madley.

Var: Peter Bankes.

Attendance: 31,196.

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