Finally, Erik ten Hag could enjoy a match without the kind of danger that has plagued Manchester United so far this season. Four games into the season, Ten Hag had looked in trouble, but after an awkward first half, well-taken goals from Matthijs de Ligt and Marcus Rashford helped United snatch victory with uncharacteristic ease. Substitute Alejandro Garnacho capped the scoring in style by firing United’s third into the net in the 96th minute.

Southampton were without a shot on target from the moment Cameron Archer’s rebound from a missed penalty in the 33rd minute found the hands of Andre Onana and, to make matters worse for the Saints, Jack Stephens was shown a red card for a high foul on Garnacho. It was a near-perfect day for Ten Hag, who brought on Manuel Ugarte in the closing stages for his United debut. This time, the boos weren’t aimed at Ten Hag.

That United needed a penalty save from Onana to galvanise them and inspire them to victory at a team still without a point since promotion is perhaps indicative of their strange and confused state. Eight minutes later they were 2-0 up and from that moment there was no turning back for a Southampton team who had given United an uncomfortable ride for the first half hour or so. Until De Ligt headed United ahead, things looked grim. There was the usual doubtful body language from their captain, Bruno Fernandes, and De Ligt, fresh from a nightmarish international spell with the Netherlands, found himself in defence. Amad Diallo, who ended the game playing with defenders, offered the hosts encouragement with a couple of unfinished passes.

The same notion that Southampton fans laughed at Russell Martin when he decided to withdraw Tyler Dibling 63 minutes into his first Premier League start may be indicative of their problems. The 18-year-old, who Martin believes will be “an incredible player”, is the latest gem of the academy and has shone in moments, ending up as the overwhelming redeeming light in a fourth successive league defeat. Welcome back to the Premier League and all that.

Dibling, who made just one Championship substitute appearance last season, forced a fine right-footed save from Onana after he had strayed past Diogo Dalot and later earned the penalty. Dibling paused, slowed Dalot down and then continued to play, the teenager wearing miniature shin pads and socks rolled up to his ankles, tearing past the left-back. In his desperate attempt to keep up the chase, Dalot became entangled with Dibling on the edge of the area and the referee, Stuart Attwell, awarded a penalty.

A few minutes later, Archer finally stepped up to take the penalty, but Onana made an unconvincing save low to his right. The ball flew back to Archer, giving the striker a chance from the rebound, but his header lacked conviction and found the keeper’s gloves. Then the United fans sang the name of Ruud van Nistelrooy, now a sidekick to Ten Hag, and all was well.

Joshua Zirkzee saw a shot deflect wide off Aaron Ramsdale’s fingertips and United took the lead from the ensuing corner thanks to a well-executed routine. Christian Eriksen played the ball short to Fernandes, who crossed into the box. United lined up, Zirkzee lurking behind De Ligt, who twisted in the air to generate enough power for a placed header.

Minutes later, Ramsdale saved from Rashford at his near post as United surged forward three on three. Sixty seconds later, Rashford went looking for the same corner and this time he found it, stepping inside Archer on the edge of the box before firing a shot into the far corner. From that moment on, United were in control, Garnacho wrapping up an eerily routine victory in the dying seconds.