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“This is a better occasion to...

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“This is a better occasion to score” | Obafemi on Old Trafford goal

Phil Egan
Phil Egan

09:48 14 Jul 2020


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Republic of Ireland international Michael Obafemi came off the bench to score an injury-time equaliser for Southampton against Manchester United in the Premier League.

The 20-year-old striker was sent on in the 87th minute by Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl and Obafemi popped up with a 96th-minute goal to earn a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford.

It was Obafemi's third Premier League goal of the season and one he won't forget for a while.

"It's amazing, I was supposed to play (at Old Trafford) at under 18s in the youth cup but sadly I missed it but I think this is an even better occasion to score on," Obafemi told Sky Sports.

The result was another sign of how the Saints have improved drastically since that humiliating 9-0 defeat at the hands of Leicester in late October.

Since the Premier League restarted in June, only Arsenal have beaten Southampton and they recently beat Manchester City at St. Mary's.

Obafemi spoke about that confidence: "The boys dug deep, obviously we went 1-0 up but we've done well to come back into the game.

"We've picked up amazing results ever since the restart and we've looked to finish the season strong

"We go into the game thinking that we can three points."

It all bodes well for next season and that could be of major benefit to Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny with Obafemi, Shane Long and Will Smallbone all part of Hasenhuttl's squad.

Only time will tell how damaging a result it was for Manchester United in their bid for a top-four finish.

United stay fifth, behind fourth-placed Leicester on goal difference but they play Brendan Rodgers side on the final day of the season after games against Crystal Palace and West Ham.

Third-placed Chelsea can open up a four-point gap over Leicester and United with a win at home to relegated Norwich on Tuesday night but then Frank Lampard's side have to face Liverpool and Wolves.

Leicester's form has deserted them on the home stretch and they have games against Sheffiled United and Tottenham before the visit of United to the King Power on July 26th.


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Manchester United Michael Obafemi Old Trafford Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Ralph Hasenhuttl Southampton

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