Manchester United Struggle to Goalless Draw vs. Southampton in Final Away Game

Southampton and Manchester United played out a dull goalless draw in the Red Devils' last away game of the Premier League season on Wednesday.

The hosts had the best chances of the game, but United's defence held firm as the visitors displayed minimal ambition.

It was predictable this match would have an inconsequential feel as United concentrate on their upcoming UEFA Europa League final and with the Saints safe in mid-table.

United manager Jose Mourinho made four changes to the side that lost at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. Goalkeeper Sergio Romero started ahead of David De Gea, while Daley Blind was replaced by Matteo Darmian. Marouane Fellaini returned from suspension at the expense of Michael Carrick, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan was chosen ahead of Jesse Lingard.

The Saints revamped their attack, as Shane Long, Sofiane Boufal and Jay Rodriguez were dropped, with Nathan Redmond and Dusan Tadic brought in to support striker Manolo Gabbiadini.

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In a quiet half of football, the action was crammed into the opening six minutes of the game. Eric Bailly was punished for handball in the penalty area, but replays showed referee Mike Dean had got the decision wrong, with the defender clearly outside of the box.

Gabbiadini stepped up to the spot to take the kick, but the striker's former Sampdoria team-mate made an excellent save. Romero quickly got down to his right to push the ball wide.

Football writer Liam Canning hailed the Argentina stopper:

United players' minds were clearly somewhere else, and they rarely played through the midfield to attack.

The hosts remained on the front foot, but the early penalty miss took the wind out of their sails.

Sports correspondent Tom Williams advised football fans to avoid the match:

Tadic tested Romero immediately after half-time, but the 'keeper was equal as the power of the shot stung his palms at full stretch.

Southampton were the aggressors, as United sat deep and attempted to counter-attack. 

James Ward-Prowse twice went close to breaking the deadlock, but Romero was in inspired form, making world-class saves to frustrate the hosts.

Mourinho replaced Juan Mata with Marcus Rashford midway through the second half, and the swap injected life into United.

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Anthony Martial played with more freedom as Rashford stretched the defence, and the Frenchman saw a shot cannon off the post after a mazy run.

Defender Phil Jones was in solid form for the visitors, putting his body on the line to stop the Saints attackers, but it appeared United would cave in under the constant pressure. 

However, despite plenty of possession, the hosts could not beat Romero, who was named man of the match for his myriad saves.