GAVIN Bazunu had a fine afternoon in goal at Old Trafford as Saints held EFL Cup champions 10-man Manchester United to a vital and entertaining 0-0 draw.
Both sides had big chances to score but the Irishman denied Raphael Varane and Bruno Fernandes as the picks of his shot-stopping bunch.
Kyle Walker-Peters was also among those impressive going forward and back while Casemiro was sent off and faces a four-match ban for a studs-up challenge on Charly Alcaraz.
The result means Saints remain at the bottom of the Premier League table having entered the tie two points behind Leeds United in 19th, with 12 matches still to play.
Saints manager Ruben Selles made just one change from his team that beat Leicester City last time out and that was enforced. Ainsley Maitland-Niles picked up a knock in training on Saturday and was replaced by Romain Perraud.
Saints had breathed new life into their season with two wins from three Premier League matches under the Spaniard but still came into this one bottom of the table due to results elsewhere.
Che Adams led the line after scoring at Old Trafford in a 1-1 draw in February last year and was linking well with Alcaraz – who passed a late fitness test to start.
For James Ward-Prowse, it was a chance to make Premier League history. The Saints skipper went into proceedings one behind United legend David Beckham’s free-kick record (18).
Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu was the top performer of the first half, denying Marcus Rashford on two occasions and later making a brilliant close-range stop on Raphael Varane in the area.
Theo Walcott – started back-to-back league games for the first time since the first two matches following his permanent return to the club – had a golden opportunity to open but saw his header tipped over by David De Gea.
Kamaldeen Sulemana broke in behind Aaron Wan-Bissaka but was stopped at the key moment, before Anthony Taylor made the biggest decision of the first period.
After Casemiro was initially yellow carded for a foul on Alcaraz, the official was called to the monitor by VAR and upgraded the decision to a straight red – the Brazilian’s foot bounced off the ball and dug studs into the Argentine’s shin.
The second period started brightly for the visitors as substitute Scott McTominay nearly diverted a Walker-Peters cross into his own net.
Ward-Prowse nearly had his moment in Beckham’s old home, as the 28 year old’s effort from good range pinged off the crossbar and behind.
Both sides again came close as Walcott was played one-on-one but slowed down too much to allow De Gea to save, while Bazunu produced a stunning stop onto the post to deny Bruno Fernandes.
Walker-Peters then hit the post as Old Trafford was bemused at how the game was still scoreless, with more changes made by both managers to try and snatch all three points.
Adam Armstrong had a chance to set one up in the final minutes of regulation time, while Saints were unable to capitalise on a corner kick in four minutes of additional time.
Man United: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez (Maguire, 89), Shaw; Casemiro, Fernandes, Antony (Pellistri, 73), Sancho (Garnacho, 73 (Fred, 89), Rashford; Weghorst (McTominay, 44).
Unused subs: Malacia, Dalot, Mainoo, Heaton (g/k).
Booked: Martinez.
Saints: Bazunu; Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Bella-Kotchap, Perraud; Lavia, Ward-Prowse, Alcaraz (S Armstrong, 52); Walcott (Onuachu, 84), Kamaldeen (A Armstrong, 76), Adams (Mara, 76).
Unused subs: Caleta-Car, Salisu, Elyounoussi, Diallo, McCarthy (g/k).
Referee: Anthony Taylor.
VAR: Andre Marriner.
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