Ruben Amorim has issued a call to young star Amad Diallo to keep pushing his limits after the 22-year-old's extraordinary hat-trick helped Manchester United secure a thrilling 3-1 comeback against struggling Southampton at Old Trafford.

For much of the match, the situation looked grim for United. The players had endured a series of setbacks, with four consecutive defeats earlier in December, and Southampton, the league's bottom team with just one win this season, managed to take the lead through a Manuel Ugarte own goal before halftime.

However, the tide turned when Diallo emerged from the shadows, scoring the equalizer in the 82nd minute, followed by two more goals in quick succession—the 90th minute and the third minute of stoppage time—which solidified a remarkable victory for his team.

This hat-trick follows Diallo's recent dramatic winning goal in the Manchester derby and another critical equalizer during a tough match at Anfield against league leaders Liverpool. Amorim, who recently celebrated Diallo extending his contract for another five and a half years, cautioned against complacency as the team prepares to face Brighton on Sunday.

“I didn’t speak to him after the game, but I will tell him tomorrow,” Amorim noted. "He needs to rest, eat well, and prepare for the next match because we will rely on him again. It’s a fantastic moment for a young talent to score a hat-trick at this club, but he needs to stay focused on what’s ahead."

Despite the jubilant atmosphere following Diallo's goals, concerns lingered about United's overall performance. The team has struggled against weaker opposition after displaying commendable efforts against stronger teams. Amorim's co-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, was present in the stands and witnessed a match that left much to be desired.

Amorim commented, “While we secured the result, the overall play wasn’t satisfactory. I had a brief discussion with Sir Jim, but it’s clear we need to enhance our gameplay. Fans deserve better football, and that’s what we strive for.”

Southampton’s head coach, Juric, expressed disappointment over his team's inability to control the game in its final moments. Despite performing well for the majority of 75 minutes, they faltered in critical moments that led to their defeat.

Juric lamented, “We executed a good strategy for most of the game, but our late-game management lacked the necessary ruthlessness. It’s painful to lose after putting in such an effort, and we need to make sure we capitalize on our chances.”

In a tough turn of events, Southampton lost Tyler Dibling midway through the second half to an ankle injury, and Juric admitted the substitutes failed to bring the desired impact. “I expected more from those who came off the bench. We need fresh energy and intensity, and unfortunately, it didn’t materialize.”

As both teams reflect on this match, the questions remain: Can Amad Diallo continue his meteoric rise, and will Manchester United find consistency ahead of the crucial fixtures coming up? Only time will tell if they can turn performances into results and chase down the competition in the Premier League.