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Manchester United celebrate after their 55th-minute winning goal. EPA/VINCE MIGNOTT

Bruno Fernandes scored the only goal of the game in the victory against Saints. A clean sheet and an away win was a landmark moment for the new coach as he tries to get United to play in his own style.

The report is about the league table and upcoming games.

This is our reaction to the game on Saturday.

Player ratings, best and worst performers, highlights and notable moments, post- match quotes, and key statistics are included.

Rapid Reaction

This is the first thing. The United builds on the win.

The question was always whether or not Manchester United would back it up after the win over the Reds.

United did not reach the same level of intensity and quality as five days earlier, but their 55th-minute goal was enough to beat Saints and give them back-to-back victories.

Although goalkeeper David de Gea was forced into one superb second-half save to deny Joe Aribo, United were relatively comfortable. This was a test of application and attitude for United, and they met it, despite the fact that Saints had lost six of their last eight home games. The formative days of the Ten Hag era are still going on, but another victory will give him more confidence to build on his current success.

There are two It has been a long time since away-day misery ended.

It was the nadir of a miserable spell for United, who had lost their previous seven matches away from home in the league. Saturday's win was not emphatic, but United looked more organised and compact than they have done in many matches during that run, keeping a clean sheet on the road for the first time in any competition since December 2020

The task of facing United was different because they had more of the ball and Ten Hag wanted them to be more fluent. The arrival of Casemiro should help that further in the future, as the Brazilian player appeared for the final 10 minutes to make his debut, helping United defend one threatening moment as they neared the finish line.

Casemiro made his debut off the bench after arriving from Real Madrid. Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images

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There are three. Speculation isFueled by the omission ofRonaldo and Maguire.

Sept. 8Real Sociedad (H)
Sept. 15Sheriff Tiraspol (A)
Oct. 6Omonoia (A)
Oct. 13Omonoia (H)
Oct. 27Sheriff Tiraspol (H)
Nov. 3Real Sociedad (A)

The away fans sang "you've only come to see him" after he came on as a substitute in the 69th minute. There are doubts as to whether this will be the last chance anyone gets to see the Portuguese star in a United shirt after he was once again left out of the starting lineup.

Speculation continued this week that the agent ofRonaldo is looking for a club that can play in the top European competition. There is an uncertain end to the window because Ten Hag made positive noises about planning for the season.

There was at least one player on the field. As Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez showed more encouraging signs of forming an effective centre-back partnership together, Harry Maguire sat out the entire game. With a big-money signing on the horizon, could he return to his old club? He would want to jump ship.

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After the forward was used as a substitute against the Saints, he was debated by the author.

Player ratings

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SArmstrong, Mara, Perraud, and Lyanco were on the subs.

There are seven Manchester United: De Gea, Dalot, Martinez, Varane, Malacia, McTominay, and Elranga.

Subs: Fred and Casemiro.

Best and worst performers

Manchester United's Eriksen was the best of the bunch.

United have lacked inventive passing with the Scott McTominay - Fred axis, but Christian Eriksen gave them a range of inventive passing once again.

The Manchester United player was the worst of the lot.

Marcus was not able to build on his performance against the Reds. Ended with just 28 touches and a single shot.

Christian Eriksen was unlucky with a shot from close range that was saved by Gavin Bazunu. Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images

Highlights and notable moments

What. A. Finish. 🔥🔥🔥#MUFC || #SOUMUN pic.twitter.com/uB5oirVqxL

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 27, 2022

After the match: What the managers, players said

It has to be the standard for Manchester United. It has to be normal but you have to fight for it. We learned from it.

There is room for improvement. I believe we can do better after the last half an hour. There wasn't always a lot of pressure on the ball, but the defenders did a good job of keeping their distance. I was confident that they would handle it.

The finish was great, but it was a team goal. It was well played from the team after the half-time break, and we built it up from the back. In possession, we have to improve.

Key stats (provided by ESPN Stats & Information)

Bruno has scored 37 goals since his first season in the league. Only three people have scored more than Son Heung-Min.

Man United have won two games in a row for the first time in months. They haven't won three or more games in a row in over a year.

Up next

On Thursday, Manchester United will travel toLeicester City, and on Sunday, they will play host toArsenal.

On Saturday, September 3, the Saints will play at Wolves.