IT WAS JUST Like 1995 all over again.
A kung-fu kick and a 9-0 win.
Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes rubbed in the misery for Southampton amid Man Utd’s four goals in the final 19 minutesCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
Alexandre Jankewitz saw red just 90 seconds into his full Southampton debut for this raking challenge on Man Utd midfielder Scott McTominay
Scott McTominay fired arguably the best of Manchester United’s nine goalsCredit: PA:Press Association
It was in January of that year that Eric Cantona produced his infamous kick on a Crystal Palace fan after being red carded at Selhurst Park.
Last night Southampton’s Alex Jankewitz paid due tribute 26 years on by reenacting it, this time with Scott McTominay the victim after 82 seconds.
So Jankewitz’s first professional start was over without even touching the ball.
It was in March of 95 that United recorded a 9-0 win, against Ipswich, matched last night with this hammering of Southampton.
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Mancheter United recorded their biggest victory since that famous 9-0 home hammering of Ipswich Town back in March 1995.
Back to Jankewitz’s red
The challenge was horrendous, nowhere near the ball. McTominay screamed in anguish and the camera showed an imprint of the scrapping from Jankewitz’s studs.
Mike Dean showed a straight red and the Saint went marching off.
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Now there is an old adage, that to be fair never made sense, about it being tougher to play against ten men.
Certainly there is more emphasis on defending perhaps and trying to sneak away with a draw.
In this case the red card just signalled for Southampton to give up.
That is what they did.
On the back of three straight defeats and just one win in eight they were no doubt already feeling sorry for themselves.
Daniel James rounds off United’s history-making 9-0 win in stoppage timeCredit: Reuters
Anthony Martial shows perfect poise with a gr-eight finish in the 90th minuteCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
Edinson Cavani powers home Man Utd’s third goal in 14 minutes to make it 4-0Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Bruno Fernandes and Edinson Cavani help Aaron Wan-Bissaka celebrate his Man Utd openerCredit: PA:Press Association
Add an awful injury list to that and the excuses could mount.
There was still no excuse for this abject collapse that saw United go 4-0 up by the break.
The scoring got going in the 17th minute with Aaron Wan-Bissaka scoring his first Old Trafford goal since joining United.
It was fellow full-back Luke Shaw who found him with a searching ball to the back post.
There was ‘The Spider’, known as such for those long legs wrapping the ball away from opponents, sticking a foot out to meet the ball first time and send it in off the far post.
Shaw would be involved in two of the next three as well.
He is absolutely flying at the minute.
There cannot be a better left-back in the country on form.
He was constantly high up the pitch and in the 25th minute he was found down that left flank by Victor Lindelof.
Man Utd striker Edinson Cavani roars his approval after his goalCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Anthony Martial thumps Man Utd 5-0 up midway through the second periodCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Marcus Rashford doubles Man Utd’s lead amid a first-half purple patchCredit: PA:Press Association
The despair on Jan Bednarek’s face is clear as his own goal put Man Utd 3-0 upCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Striding on he then fed the ball for Mason Greenwood who superbly picked out Marcus Rashford with a pull back and the United frontman found goal with a first time side-footed shot.
It was his first Premier League goal of the year and took him one past Cantona to 83 goals in the United all-time list.
The third on 34 minutes was an own goal as Rashford’s right wing cross was steered past his own goalkeeper by Jan Bednarek.
It was the quality of the cross that did it though as he had to intercept it because Fred was behind him to put it away.
Five minutes later it was four with Shaw providing another great cross this time for the unmarked Edinson Cavani to head home.
It could have been worse before the break because referee Mike Dean pointed to the spot when Kayne Ramsey fouled Cavani.
The VAR Graham Scott came to his rescue informing Dean that the infringement was just outside the area.
Having netted a first-half own goal, Jan Bednarek’s expression says it all as the Southampton centre-back is sent off late onCredit: PA:Press Association
Ref Mike Dean watches replays before confirming Man Utd’s penalty and handing a red card to Jan BednarekCredit: AFP
Midfield hero Bruno Fernandes tucked home from the penalty spot in the 87th minute, and Man Utd still had time to add two more goalsCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
Solskjaer felt so comfortable at half time he even gave Donny van de Beek a half in place of Cavani while Shaw was afforded a very well earned rest with Anthony Martial replacing him.
Even when Southampton did score what looked like a perfectly good goal, which could have at least lead to a face-saving second period, it was ruled out.
James Ward-Prowse played a free-kick into the area, Che Adams was allowed a free run on to it and after his first shot hit Fred his second found the far bottom corner.
VAR put him offside by a fingernail.
Martial scored a real quality goal to make it five on 69 minutes.
Bruno Fernandes chipped the ball over the top and the Frenchman chested it down, took a touch, swivelled and shot in one movement, finding the roof of the net.
It is a shame such magic from Martial is only seen in glimpses.
Edinson Cavani initially was ruled to have been fouled inside the box but VAR changed the penalty verdict into a free-kick
Che Adams had a goal ruled out for Southampton when they were 4-0 down Credit: EPA
Aaron Wan-Bissaka breaks through to put Man Utd in front on 18 minutesCredit: AFP
Two minutes later karma gave a goal to McTominay.
His low drilled shot from 25 yards was hardly travelling at warp speed but Saints goalkeeper Alex McCarthy decided against diving for it.
In the 83rd minute came number seven when referee Dean to awarded United a penalty when Bednarek tripped Martial.
VAR asked Dean to have a look if should have been a red as well and it was and Southampton were down to nine.
Fenandes did the rest from the spot as he always does.
Still time for number eight. Wan-Bissaka crossed, Martial chested it down again, turned and fired into the near bottom corner.
By now United weren’t even celebrating.
Daniel James completed it all in injury time with number nine.
What a way to get back on track.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reacts to Man Utd’s 9-0 win over Southamton
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
