It is 91 years since United last lost more than three home league games in a row but when Manuel Ugarte's own goal left Ruben Amorim's side behind to the Premier League's bottom club at the break, a fourth looked likely. But Amad had other ideas.

He forced home the equaliser in the 82nd minute before playing a delightful one-two with Christian Eriksen in the 90th minute to put United ahead. Amad then latched onto a characteristic Saints defensive mishap to clinch the match-ball and transform the night.

It was a struggle for much of the evening but the victory lifts United above three London clubs into 12th and builds on that FA Cup win over Arsenal at the weekend. For Ivan Juric and Southampton, it is a desperate blow. They remain 10 points from safety.

Alejandro Garnacho did miss a big chance to slot United in front early on but that was a rare opening for Amorim's tentative team with Southampton looking the better side in a first half in which only Andre Onana came out with any credit for the home side.

The United goalkeeper kept out the lively Kamaldeen Sulemana, who tormented Leny Yoro throughout, before producing a sensational double stop to deny Tyler Dibling and Mateus Fernandes. But Onana was helpless to prevent Ugarte's own goal.

Southampton had been the only team not to score a Premier League goal from a corner prior to this game but United's weakness from set-pieces was evident again, a tenth goal conceded from a corner. Sulemana might have doubled Saints' lead after that.

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