Manchester United vs Southampton result: Player ratings as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side run riot

United were rampant after debutant Alex Jankewitz’s early red card

(Manchester United via Getty Imag)

Manchester United ran riot in a 9-0 victory against Southampton after Alex Jankewitz’s early red card left the Saints desperately short at Old Trafford. 

The Swiss midfielder was sent off after just 79 seconds on his Premier League debut for a wild lunge on Scott McTominay, which left the United midfielder with stud marks raked down his thigh. 

From thereon, the first half resembled something close to a massacre, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka opening the scoring courtesy of a fine ball by Luke Shaw. Marcus Rashford doubled the lead not long afterwards, which was followed by a Jan Bednarek own goal and fine Edinson Cavani header, condemning the Saints to a four-goal deficit at half time. 

Southampton briefly showed their mettle in the second half and Che Adams was unlucky to see his strike ruled out by VAR. But Anthony Martial produced a wonderful finish to end his goal drought before McTominay’s fantastic low drive compounded the Saints’ misery. It seemed as though things could hardly get worse, but then the floodgates opened again. 

Bednarek was sent off for brushing Martial in the box and denying a goalscoring opportunity. Fernandes converted from the spot and Martial then added an eighth. And then to revive all the horror of the Saints’ 9-0 defeat by Leicester, Dan James scored in the dying seconds to match that scoreline. Here are our player ratings: 

David De Gea - 6: Had little to do in the match aside from a fine save to tip James Ward-Prowse’s close-range free-kick over the bar. 

Aaron Wan-Bissaka - 7: Opened the scoring in a fine move that will, perhaps only briefly, silence those critics of the full-back’s offensive ability. 

Victor Lindelof - 6: A routine evening for the centre-back who was largely spared the pace of a repoistioned Danny Ings due to Jankewitz’s red card. 

Harry Maguire - 6: An equally uneventful night for the captain, who dealt with any small flickers of danger accordingly. 

Luke Shaw - 8: Another brilliant performance, assisting Wan-Bisakka’s opener and a constant threat every time he barrelled forwards. Rightly taken off at half time to preserve his fitness. 

Scott McTominay - 8: Martialled in front of the defence well and linked play but had little trouble to negotiate. Took his goal in great style in the second half.  

Fred - 7: Did a good job at left back after Solskjaer brought Shaw off at half time to reduce any injury concerns. 

Mason Greenwood -7: Played a great role in Rashford’s goal but would have loved to get on the scoresheet himself.

Bruno Fernandes - 7: As always the heartbeat of United’s side, although they did not need to rely on his fantastic talents tonight. Converted from the spot late on.

Marcus Rashford - 8: Took his 16th goal of the season in clinical fashion and appears to only be getting better. 

Edinson Cavani - 8: Such a commanding presence up front, he caused hell for Southampton’s centre-backs from the off and took his headed goal wonderfully before being brought off early. 

Southampton

Alex McCarthy - 4: A torrid night for the goalkeeper, who was helpless really to the onslaught. 

Kane Ramsey - 4: A tricky game for the youngster, who was afforded few graces by Rashford and should perhaps have benefitted from more defensive cover from Djenepo.

Jan Bednarek - 3: Inadvertently bundled Rashford’s cross into his own net for United’s third. Was sent off in the second half after denying Martial a goalscoring opportunity. 

Jack Stephens - 4: Struggled to deal with Cavani in the first half and couldn’t stifle the second half wave of attacks either. 

Ryan Bertrand - 5: Did a slightly better job of handling Greenwood, with most of United’s early success coming through Shaw and Rashford on the opposite flank. 

Stuart Armstrong - 5: Was overrun by United but did at least show flashes of why he has been such a standout performer for the Saints recently. 

Alex Jankewitz - 3: A horror show for the young debutant, who was sent off for a wild lunge after just 79 seconds. 

James Ward-Prowse - 5: Battled relentlessly as Southampton attempted to stem the tide but to no avail.

Moussa Djenepo - 4: Needed to provide more support to Ramsey and struggled to make an impact going forwards. 

Danny Ings - 6: Moved out wide after the red card and, while he showed brief moments of danger with his pace, the talisman could do little to save his side’s blushes. 

Che Adams - 6: Was very unlucky to see his goal ruled out by the most fractional of offsides in the second half and continued to work hard despite the inevitable result.