Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said Manchester United “will put it right” after conceding a late goal against Southampton on Monday night to dent their hopes of reaching next season’s Champions League. United were on course for a fifth successive Premier League victory after bouncing back from Stuart Armstrong’s early opener through strikes from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.
But just as third place beckoned for Solskjaer’s men Saints substitute Michael Obafemi struck in stoppage time to seal a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford. Earlier on Monday the Court of Arbitration for Sport announced Manchester City’s two-season European ban would be lifted, meaning only the top four teams will qualify for next season’s Champions league.
United’s next two games are against Crystal Palace and West Ham before a potential last-day shoot-out against Leicester, who are currently in fourth place, ahead of Solskjaer’s men on goal difference. “I have to say the mentality of the boys has been brilliant,” said the Norwegian boss. 
“We’ve had a few setbacks over the season, of course, and this is another challenge for us. I am very confident in the mentality of them. Very disappointed, of course, but we have to take the disappointments as well as the positives when you win games. We’ve learned a hard lesson today hopefully, so we’ll make it right, we’ll put it right. I trust the boys in that respect,” he added.
Solskjaer’s side need to quickly dust themselves down, with a trip to Crystal Palace coming up on Thursday before they return to London for Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea. Left-back Luke Shaw is a doubt for those games after being forced off with an ankle complaint, while United ended the match with 10 men after his replacement Brandon Williams was involved in a clash of heads.
A 17-match unbeaten run looked in danger early as Southampton — who have been in impressive form themselves — were rewarded for a bright start at Old Trafford. Ralph Hassenhuttl’s side remain in 12th, but have lost just once in six games since the restart. “We are becoming more brave,” said Hassenhuttl. “You can feel the guys really enjoy what they are doing.”
Paul Pogba’s return from injury has played a big part in United’s free-scoring run, but the Frenchman was at fault for the opening goal as he was caught in possession by Danny Ings. Redmond then crossed for the unmarked Armstrong at the back post and the Scottish international took a touch before flashing a shot past David De Gea. 
United have now scored 16 goals in their last five league games to close the gap on Chelsea and Leicester in the top four race. That firepower was in evidence as the game was turned on its head within two minutes as Martial showed great strength and touch to tee up Rashford to slot home his 21st goal of the season.
Both Rashford and Martial are enjoying their best ever scoring seasons and moments later it was the Frenchman’s turn to score his 21st of the campaign as he powered past Kyle Walker-Peters before lashing a shot past Alex McCarthy for his 50th Premier League goal.
Southampton were lucky to get into half-time with 11 men on the field as Oriol Romeu somehow escaped sanction despite a VAR review for a dangerous lunge on Mason Greenwood.
United never got going in the same fashion after the break and were given a warning five minutes from time when De Gea produced a stunning save to turn Redmond’s effort over to bounce back from a couple of errors leading to goals in recent weeks.
The hosts were left down to 10 men for the final few minutes as Williams was taken off with a head injury after Solskjaer had used his allocated three stoppages to make substitutions. 
And they were caught out as Obafemi was in the right place to claim a point for Southampton.