Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim praised Ivory Coast international Amad Diallo after his inspired hat-trick, which helped the Red Devils come from behind to win 3-1 against bottom-of-the-table Southampton.
After positive displays against title challengers Liverpool and Arsenal, it was important that Manchester United continued that run of form into a must-win game against the bottom of the league.
It was a tough first half for the Red Devils as Southampton opened the scoring before halftime following an own goal from midfielder Manuel Ugarte after a crossed ball bounced off the back of the Uruguayan.
But a resilient Manchester United came out for the second half in search of the all-important equaliser, and a double change of Joshua Zirkzee and Toby Collyer changed the game in their favour.
With 82 minutes on the clock, it was time for star man Diallo to step up and get the leveller for the hosts following a bit of luck after a tackle from Kyle Walker Pieters bounced into the path for the Ivory Coast international to fire his first past Aaron Ramsdale.
A quick one-two from Diallo and Christian Eriksen put the Red Devils in front with only one minute of regular time remaining.
Then a poor first touch from Taylor Harwood-Bellis allowed Diallo to steal the ball and slot it into an empty net for his third and Manchester United to take all three points.
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Player praise
Amorim was pleased with Diallo and his approach to the game and the attacking intent he brought to the game.
He said: "In the first half, every time Amad has the ball, he pushes the other team to the final third. That type of player is very important.
"He took advantage of his ability in the second half, the last goal was similar to the one at Everton with the recovery. He did a good job but he has to prepare for the next game.
"Every player is important, because not just the guys who scored, it was all the others who helped to score.
"And sometimes individual talent can help us a lot and today was that day and Amad was really important for our win. But he needs to focus now, to recover and think about the next game."
"He has the same responsibility as every player who plays for Manchester United. He is in a great moment and he is having a very good season.
"We have seen this in the past with a lot of players in our squad, so he has to continue to work and play like that."
Diallo is the shining star at the moment but despite the victory, it still leaves Manchester United 12th in the Premier League table and 12 points away from the destined Champions League places, which is currently occupied by Newcastle United.
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Improvements need to be made
Despite an important victory, Amorim is aware of the improvements that need to be made by the squad.
He said: "The feeling is we have so much to do.
"We need training, I don't know how long it will take. The profiles sometimes you can understand it's not the right ones.
"The feeling is we have so much to do. I felt the team were really tired - Liverpool, Arsenal 120 minutes, it's not just the mental part of the players. So it was a win, let's continue."
"We didn't do a very good game but in this moment winning is the most important thing.
"I want to be fair with my players. Today was not a lack of enthusiasm, it was a lack of speed and sometimes lack of control of the game."
Manchester United will host a rejuvenated Brighton side in another-must win game for Ruben Amorim's side to claw their way back into the European places.
