MANCHESTER UNITED romped to victory against depleted Southampton on Tuesday night.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were looking to shake off the disappointment of their last Old Trafford outing, in which they lost 2-1 to basement boys Sheffield United… surrendering top spot in the process.
United romped to victory against the depleted SaintsCredit: AP:Associated Press
But if anyone thought that they were just going to give up on their title aspirations, they will have to think again.
United were given a big helping hand, of course, when over-exuberant full Saints debutant Alexandre Jankewitz was sent off for a ludicrous lunge within the first two minutes.
And the Red Devils took full advantage, crashing in goal after goal to fully punish Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side.
SunSport’s Etienne Fermie is on hand to rate each United performer on the night.
DAVID DE GEA – 6
Hard to miss in luminous orange. Produced a quick reflex save to stop a James Ward-Prowse free-kick.
Helpless when beaten by Che Adams, but relieved when VAR harshly ruled the goal out.
De Gea was on hand to deny James Ward-Prowse in the first-halfCredit: Eddie Keogh Telegraph Media Group
The Red Devils dominated their depleted opponents
AARON WAN-BISSAKA – 8
In the right place at the right time to prod home a rare goal from a yard out to give United the lead.
Able to get forward at will given Saints’ disadvantage.
Excellent recovery tackle on Danny Ings to thwart the England striker – and later provided a good cross for Anthony Martial’s second.
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Aaron Wan-Bissaka bundled home a rare goal to give United the leadCredit: AP:Associated Press
VICTOR LINDELOF – 7
Stunning cross-field pass to set United’s opener in motion.
Spent plenty of time on the edge of Southampton’s final third as the Red Devils dominated.
HARRY MAGUIRE – 7
Provided a number of fantastic, driven through-balls between the lines, not least in the build-up to Rashford’s United second.
Shown a yellow card for a late challenge on Jack Stephens.
LUKE SHAW – 8
Sublime curled delivery from the left to set up fellow full-back Wan-Bissaka, and subsequently caused chaos with a number of high-class deliveries.
Provided a cute through ball for Mason Greenwood in the build-up to Rashford’s second.
Yet another gorgeous cross to set up Edinson Cavani’s goal. Withdrawn at the break with his job done.
United’s left-back caused all sorts of problems with his forays forwardCredit: Reuters
SCOTT MCTOMINAY – 9
Scythed down by Saints full debutant Jankewitz within two minutes with the youngster red carded.
The Scot was able to take cruise control of proceedings thereafter, producing a number of crisp, incisive passes.
Unleashed a beautiful strike from outside the box to make it 6-0 as United ran riot.
McTominay drilled home a stunning strike to make it 6-0Credit: PA:Press Association
FRED – 7
Marshalled the United midfield comfortably against the helpless ten-man Saints in the first-half.
Moved to left-back after Shaw was substituted at half-time.
Sizzled an excellent pass to Anthony Martial, but the forward dinked just wide of the post.
United dominated from start to finishCredit: Eddie Keogh Telegraph Media Group
MASON GREENWOOD – 7
Excellent run and cut-back for Rashford’s second.
Stung McCarthy’s palms in the build-up to McTominay’s goal.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 7
Tested Alex McCarthy with a pot-shot from the edge of the box.
Portuguese star was often able to buzz around and find space to cause problems.
Provided a fantastic clipped pass for Anthony Martial’s goal, before making it 7-0 with a late penalty, and cushioning a header down to Dan James for the ninth.
Fernandes buzzed around in trademark fashionCredit: Getty Images – Getty
MARCUS RASHFORD – 7
Twisted and turned early on but squandered a square pass to Fernandes after neglecting to shoot.
On hand to convert Greenwood’s cut-back and make it 2-0 after 25 minutes. Drilled cross was turned home by the unfortunate Jan Bednarek.
England star was withdrawn on the hour.
EDINSON CAVANI – 8
Some slick link-up play early on.
Sumptuous, composed header to put United 4-0 up. Chopped down by Kayne Ramsay for what was originally given as a United penalty, before being overturned by VAR.
Substituted at half-time.
Edinson Cavani made it 4-0 with a stunning headerCredit: PA:Press Association
SUBSTITUTES
Anthony Martial (for Cavani, 46) – 8
Squandered a presentable chance following a neat one-two with Fernandes barely five minutes after coming on. Excellent chest and finish to get on the scoresheet.
Frenchman could have had a second when he dinked agonisingly wide, before later being fouled by Bednarek for a late penalty, with the big defender red-carded for the challenge.
Was able to bag a second late on after the Saints were reduced to nine-men.
Martial bagged a second-half brace after replacing CavaniCredit: PA:Press Association
Donny van de Beek (for Shaw, 46) – 5
Yellow carded for a late challenge on Stuart Armstrong with Southampton scoring from the resulting free-kick, before being strangely denied by VAR.
Daniel James (for Rashford, 60) – 5
Welshman prodded home a ninth for the Red Devils with virtually the last kick of the game.
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Record equalling night at Old Trafford as Man Utd smash Southampton 9-0
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
