Fans can't believe what Southampton did seconds before missed penalty vs Man Utd

Fans were left confused after seeing what Southampton players did before their missed penalty against Manchester United.

The Saints were given an opportunity to take the lead at St Mary's on 32 minutes after debutant Tyler Dibling was brought down in the area by Diogo Dalot.

Cameron Archer stepped up to take the spot kick, but Andre Onana got down well to his right to keep it out.

United then cleared, and scored themselves just two minutes later through defender Matthijs de Ligt.

It was therefore a nightmare passage of play for Russell Martin's side as they look to register their first point in the Premier League season.

Marcus Rashford then made it 2-0 before half-time with a curling 25-yard finish with his right foot.

But prior to the missed penalty, fans were surprised at what Southampton chose to do.

Ben Brereton Diaz looked as if he was about to take the penalty, but stepped back and allowed Archer to take it instead.

There was then a significant wait before the penalty was taken, with Archer missing from 12 yards.

Andre Onana stops Cameron Archer from 12 yards 🤩

A brilliant chance for Southampton to take the lead early on 🫣

📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/sZYoUbQOZ9

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 14, 2024

One fan wrote: "That was the most nailed-on penalty miss I have ever seen. Brereton Diaz didn't want it and passed it on to Archer, who looked terrified and had to wait two minutes."

Another said: "Brereton Diaz has taken seven penalties in his career and scored seven. So the obvious thing to do was give Archer the penalty to take."

A third added: "Archer had to stand there for a minute before taking the penalty and then immediately sprinted at it after the whistle went. Had penalty miss written all over it."

And a fourth said: "Brereton Diaz - 10 out of 11 career on penalties. Archer - never taken a professional level penalty in his career."