Ivorian forward Amad Diallo was the man-of-the-match as Manchester United beat Southampton 3-1 at Old Trafford on Thursday.
The Red Devils had failed to win their previous four league games and were on the cusp of another defeat before Diallo’s late heroics.
The 22-year-old scored a hat-trick to help United record their first league victory since the Manchester derby.
Diallo has become the third player to score three times in the final 10 minutes of a Premier League game, according to OptaJoe.
United legends Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Wayne Rooney are the other players who have achieved the feat.
Solskjaer notched a late treble at Nottingham Forest in the 1998/1999 season, while Rooney did the same in the 4-0 win over Hull City at Old Trafford in 2009/2010.
Diallo has been the Red Devils’ best player this season, and his contributions in big moments have proved decisive.
Three of his six league goals have been equalisers, while two have been winning goals. He scored his two winning goals against Southampton and Manchester City.
The Ivorian has registered six league goals and six assists this term. He is the first African player to register double digits of goal involvement in a campaign for United.
The way Diallo has adapted quickly to manager Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 set-up has been impressive.
He has shown versatility by playing well as a right wing-back, attacking midfielder, right winger and second striker.
Diallo has seven goal involvements as a right wing-back, three as a right winger and one as an attacking midfielder.
Man United just extended his contract, and the club will be delighted to have made the decision if he maintains his current form.
Stats from OptaJoe & transfermarkt.com.
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