Second Half Salvo Sinks Saints

By David Hobbs
December 4 2004

United maintained their recent rich vain of Premiership form following 3 second half goals that were enough to sink struggling Southampton at Old Trafford. Paul Scholes and teenagers Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo got the goals that sent Steve Wigley packing.

Second Half Salvo Sinks Saints

Manchester United 3
Scholes 53
Rooney 58
Ronaldo 87

Southampton 0

Manchester United maintained their recent rich vain of Premiership form following 3 second half goals that were enough to sink struggling Southampton at Old Trafford.

Paul Scholes continued his goal-scoring streak, netting his 4th goal in 3 games after months of misfiring. Cristiano Ronaldo also got back to winning ways, adding his 1st of the season after Wayne Rooney doubled United's advantage. Visitors Southampton continue to linger in the dreaded relegation zone in 18th spot.

Dutchman Ruud van Nistelrooy was the only surprise absentee from the starting XI that contained no-one from the side that triumphed against Arsenal in the midweek Carling Cup games. Van Nistelrooy was rumoured to have picked up a slight knock prior to kick-off. Therefore, Alan Smith partnered Wayne Rooney upfront.

United took control of the game right from the side and even had a few half-chances that came reasonably close to goal. Rio Ferdinand headed wide from a delightful Ryan Giggs set-piece whilst Paul Scholes struck wide twice.

Steve Wigley's side didn't have a chance until 10 minutes in when Graeme Le Saux's ball was just too fast for Claus Lundekvam to latch onto. 

Kasey Keller was forced into action soon after, depriving Gabriel Heinze of a header. James Beattie, who supposedly wants out of St. Mary's, had to be replaced by Dexter Blackstock half way through the interval.

Ryan Giggs, who was producing top-class balls into the box, swung yet another cross into Wayne Rooney, but the teenager couldn't head on-target. The Welshman then had a pop himself from 20 yards out, but sailed agonisingly wide.

On-loan Keller had to stretch at full length to deny Rooney again seconds before the interval.

The deadlock was broken 7 minutes before the hour mark when Scholes rose high to poke home Rio Ferdinand's attempted effort. Rooney doubled his side's advantage just five minutes later, rifling home from 12 yards.

Former United youngster Danny Higginbotham tried to get his side back into the game but wasted opportunity from 20 yards out.

Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo made up for his earlier nightmare-miss, volleying home with minutes to go to add a 3rd and send Southampton packing.   

Final Score: Manchester United 3 - 0 Southampton
Att: 67, 921

Manchester United: Carroll, Neville, Heinze, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Ronaldo, Keane, Scholes, Giggs, Rooney, Smith (Bellion)

Southampton: 

Refereed By: B Knight