PL Collection: Best games against Southampton

Southampton were another of the founding members of the Premier League in 1992, and since returning to the top flight in 2012 they have proved to be difficult opponents for United.

Over the years, clashes between us and the Saints have served up some remarkable scores, with only two of the 46 Premier League fixtures between the sides ending goalless. 

Last season both of league matches with the Saints ended 1-1, so supporters will be hoping for a return to the high-scoring clashes of old when the sides meet next term.

In the first game we have selected, goals are aplenty. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side put Southampton to the sword at Old Trafford in 2000, as legendary Reds striker Teddy Sheringham grabbed himself his only ever hat-trick in a United shirt.

UNITED 5 SOUTHAMPTON 0 (2000/01)

On matchday 11 of our title-winning 2000/01 season, Southampton were swept aside by the brilliance of striking duo Andy Cole and Teddy Sheringham. Cole grabbed the first goal of the game after nine minutes when his powerful effort squirmed under Paul Jones and into the back of the net. Sheringham added a second with an audacious chip on the stroke of half-time, before adding a further two goals to complete his hat-trick within 10 minutes of the restart. Cole grabbed a brace to make it 5-0 later on, as United set down a marker to all potential title rivals. The Reds went on to achieve a third successive Premier League title triumph that season.

UNITED 6 SOUTHAMPTON 1 (2001/02)

Just over a year after our 5-0 victory over the Saints at Old Trafford, United recorded another resounding win over the visitors in December 2001. This time, it was Ruud van Nistelrooy’s turn to grab a hat-trick, as we defeated a Southampton side managed by former Red Gordon Strachan. Our Dutch striker scored the first goal within just 30 seconds, hammering home an unstoppable finish after latching onto Paul Scholes’ long ball. Van Nistelrooy added his second and third either side of half-time, while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also got on the scoresheet in the first half.

After van Nistelrooy had made it 4-0, Marion Pahars pulled one back for the Saints, giving the visitors a glimmer of hope. But second-half goals from Roy Keane and Phil Neville ensured that any hopes of an unlikely comeback were extinguished, and made sure that United fans had a very happy Christmas.

SOUTHAMPTON 2 UNITED 3 (2012/13)

United’s strikers enjoy scoring hat-tricks against the Saints, and Robin van Persie’s three-goal haul in September 2012 ensured that the Reds took three points away from St. Mary’s in Sir Alex Ferguson’s 1000^th league match in charge, in 2012. United fell behind in the first half due to a Rickie Lambert header, before van Persie’s composed finish drew us level. Morgan Schneiderlin – who would join United in 2015 – restored the Saints’ lead with a powerful second-half header, and then van Persie saw a penalty saved by Kelvin Davis. But the Dutchman demonstrated his deadly finishing in the dying moments, first poking home a rebound after Rio Ferdinand’s effort struck the post, and later heading home Nani’s corner to seal an amazing comeback win.

UNITED 9 SOUTHAMPTON 0 (2020/21)

United matched the record for the biggest Premier League victory when Southampton visited Old Trafford in 2021. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, this fixture was played behind closed doors, but the action was just as enthralling as previous clashes between United and the Saints. The visitors suffered two red cards, Alexandre Jankewitz in the second minute and Jan Bednarek in the 86^th, as United put nine goals past the Saints.

Bednarek’s dismissal added to his torrid trip to Manchester, which saw the Southampton defender score an own goal in the first half, while seven different United players got on the scoresheet against Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side. Anthony Martial scored two, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Marcus Rashford, Edinson Cavani, Scott McTominay, Bruno Fernandes, and Daniel James all scored for the Reds. This win over Southampton acted as a spur for the remainder of a season, in which the Reds comfortably qualified for the Champions League.

UNITED v SOUTHAMPTON: PL RECORD

Games played: 46

United wins: 28

Draws: 11

Southampton wins: 7

United goals: 98

Southampton goals: 52

Top scorer: Ruud van Nistelrooy (7)