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Manchester United 2-2 Southampton: Key moments that decided the game

By Joe Mcindoe

Southampton's Austrian manager Ralph Hasenhuttl celebrates their late second goal on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Southampton at Old Trafford in Manchester, north-west England, on July 13, 2020. (Photo by PETER POWELL / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by PETER POWELL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Southampton's Austrian manager Ralph Hasenhuttl celebrates their late second goal on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Southampton at Old Trafford in Manchester, north-west England, on July 13, 2020. (Photo by PETER POWELL / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by PETER POWELL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Southampton’s English goalkeeper Alex McCarthy (L) saves at the feet of Manchester United’s French striker Anthony Martial (R) (Photo by CLIVE BRUNSKILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Southampton’s English goalkeeper Alex McCarthy (L) saves at the feet of Manchester United’s French striker Anthony Martial (R) (Photo by CLIVE BRUNSKILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

The Great Wall of McCarthy Stands Tall Again

Fresh off his multi-save resistance of Manchester city, Alex McCarthy did the same to the next-door neighbours. Fortunately for the number one, United’s attempts on his goal were more akin to a brief barrage than a shooting gallery.

Even so, the Englishman was still called upon to make a big save or two to ensure his team took home a point. McCarthy’s big moment arrived as James Ward Prowse makes a rare mistake.

JWP receives possession, but as he turns the ball slips away. Martial nicks possession away to go one-on-one with the Saints keeper. The inform international would’ve felt confident of breaking the deadlock but hadn’t counted on McCarthy’s sharp reflexes.

As the Frenchman enters the penalty area, the shot stopper doesn’t commit, but instead waits for his opponent to make his move. Martial does his best to fire the shot past but can only find the strong left hand of McCarthy which knocks the ball to safety.

This confident save set the tone for Southampton and surely gave them confidence moving forward. Instead of conceding a sloppy self-defeating goal, the side instead found a way to hold the line in surprising fashion.

This excellent save embodies a new streak of defiance within the team. Even with the season unlikely to yield any great rewards, Saints are still playing like a side not willing to take second best, or meekly rollover.