Romelu Lukaku scored his eighth goal in as many games for Manchester United to seal a 1-0 victory away to Southampton on Saturday.
The Belgium international converted a rebound in the first half to give Jose Mourinho’s side a fifth win in six Premier League games and keep pace with Manchester City at the top of the table.
It was a largely unconvincing performance from the visitors, who made the most of their one clear-cut opportunity in a comfortable first half and spent the majority of the second on the back foot.
Lukaku scored after seeing a header saved by Fraser Forster, prompting a repeat of the controversial chant from the away section in support of the former Everton man, but United created little otherwise in a disjointed display and Mourinho was sent to the stands in the dying minutes.
Mauricio Pellegrino’s side enjoyed 70 per cent of the possession in the second half but struggled to find a way through United’s rearguard, underlining the attacking problems of a team who have failed to score in nine of their last 11 home league games.
United move on to 16 points, the same as league leaders City, but Mourinho will no doubt want improvement from his side when they travel to Russia to take on CSKA Moscow in the Champions League on Wednesday.
