Man Utd hit nine man Southampton for nine

Rampant United scored four times in the first half after Southampton's teenage midfielder Alexandre Jankewitz was dismissed in the second minute at Old Trafford. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side hit five more after the break, tying them with Leicester's 9-0 win at Southampton in 2019 and United's own 9-0 victory against Ipswich in 1995.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka's goal opened the floodgates and Marcus Rashford bagged United's second. Jan Bednarek's own goal made it three for the hosts before Edinson Cavani added the fourth. The goals kept coming as Anthony Martial and Scott McTominay netted before Bruno Fernandes' penalty after Bednarek was sent off. Martial and Daniel James scored in stoppage-time to complete an incredible display by United.

After the frustration of their shock defeat against Sheffield United and dour draw at Arsenal, the demolition job was a much-needed boost to their title bid. United's first victory in three league games means they are behind leaders Manchester City only on goal difference. Pep Guardiola's team have two games in hand, including one at Burnley on Wednesday.

 

February 2, 2021

Jankewitz, making his first Premier League start, saw red after just 82 seconds for an ugly challenge that left stud marks on McTominay's thigh. United took advantage of their numerical superiority in the 18th minute when Luke Shaw swung a cross to far post and Wan-Bissaka bundled his shot past Alex McCarthy from close range. Rashford doubled United's lead seven minutes later with a composed finish from Mason Greenwood's cross. It was only Rashford's second goal in his last 10 appearances in all competitions and his first in the league since December.

Rashford, subjected to vile abuse on social media recently, claimed the assist for United's third in the 34th minute. The England forward's cross was turned into his own net by Bednarek's out-stretched boot. Cavani scored United's fourth with a thumping header from Shaw's cross in the 39th minute.

Martial ended his eight-game goal drought when he lashed home from close range in the 69th minute. McTominay rifled home from 25 yards two minutes later and Fernandes struck from the spot in the 87th minute after Bednarek was controversially adjudged to have fouled Martial. There was still time for Martial to score again before James capped the rout.

Crystal Palace won 2-1 at struggling Newcastle in the other 21:15 CET game. Jonjo Shelvey's fierce strike put Newcastle ahead after 71 seconds, but Palace equalised in the 21st minute through Jairo Riedewald's rocket before Gary Cahill headed in four minutes later.