The players had to roll up their sleeves to take all three points, particularly in the second half when a south-coast storm had to be weathered as Southampton pressed hard for an equaliser that ultimately never came.

The fact that the Saints were unable to breach the Reds' rearguard meant Bruno Fernandes's 55th-minute strike, from Diogo Dalot's deadly accurate cut-back, was the only goal of the game as Erik ten Hag's men triumphed 1-0. 

But while that decisive act naturally meant Fernandes figured in fans' thoughts when it came to voting in the United App, the Portuguese magnifico had to settle for second place behind a new team-mate who already seems to have become a firm friend.

For the second successive game, Lisandro Martinez - or 'Licha' as Fernandes referred to him - was voted Man of the Match by United supporters.

The Argentinian centre-back turned in another solid display, making key interceptions, heading crosses away and getting in some of those trademark blocks to frustrate the likes of Che Adams, Adam Armstrong and his substitute namesake Stuart Armstrong.