Talking Points: Reds on the rampage

The visitors were down to 10 men in just the second minute when Alexandre Jankewitz made a wild challenge on Scott McTominay, paving the way for four first-half goals.

Making the most of the extra man, Aaron Wan-Bissaka put United in front, before Marcus Rashford and Edinson Cavani added to the tally either side of a Jan Bednarek own goal.

In the second period, Anthony Martial and McTominay netted two goals in three minutes, before Southampton were reduced to nine players, further opening the floodgates. Bruno Fernandes scored the resulting penalty from Bednarek's foul, then Martial and fellow substitute Dan James rounded off the result in style in the closing stages.

Below are the essential discussion points from our dominant performance under the lights at Old Trafford…

GOALS GALORE
It was a historic night in terms of the scoresheet as we equalled our record for the biggest win in the Premier League, set by the Reds in 1995 with the same scoreline at home to Ipswich. Meanwhile it’s also the second time Southampton have lost by that margin after Leicester also equalled the record last season. United have now scored 46 league goals this term, three more than any other side.

SAINTS SEE RED, TWICE
The shrill of the referee’s whistle for kick-off wasn’t long out of the ears of the players when Mike Dean blew it again whilst reaching to his pocket to brandish a red card after just 79 seconds. Swiss teenager Alexandre Jankewitz, making his first ever start for injury-hit Southampton, was given his marching orders for a challenge that left those who were inside Old Trafford wincing. The 19-year-old went well over the ball and his studs caught Scott McTominay on the thigh. Thankfully Scott was able to continue after the challenge, which could have been a lot worse. Adding to their visitors' misery, Jan Bednarek was also sent off after bringing down Anthony Martial in the box a few minutes from time.

FULL-BACKS CONNECT
Aaron Wan-Bissaka bagged his first Old Trafford goal when he put the Reds ahead on 18 minutes, doubling his overall tally for the club after scoring away at Newcastle earlier in the campaign. His counterpart on the left flank, Luke Shaw, floated a teasing ball across the box which Aaron met with a surging run and steered it brilliantly into the bottom corner. Luke then showed his creative streak again by providing the assist for Cavani’s headed goal.

RASHFORD RISES IN THE RECORD BOOKS
Converting Mason Greenwood’s cross with a right-footed finish from just by the penalty spot, Marcus Rashford etched his name further into United’s history. The Englishman now has 83 goals for the Reds, one more than Eric Cantona - putting Marcus 25th on the club’s all-time list of goalscorers. In the context of the season it was Rashford’s 16th in all competitions, tying him with Bruno Fernandes – only Mohamed Salah (21) and Harry Kane (19) have netted more.

TIGHT DECISIONS
Incredibly, United may have had a fifth first-half goal when Mike Dean pointed to the penalty spot after Edinson Cavani was fouled by Kayne Ramsay, but the decision was overruled by VAR who said it was outside the box and therefore just a free-kick. The images appeared inconclusive however, with Cavani’s foot on the line of the area as Ramsay’s challenge landed on it. Meanwhile Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side thought they had a consolation in the second period when Che Adams netted – but again VAR got involved and ruled out another very close call.

GOOD OMENS
The emphatic result against Southampton means we’ve done the double over the south coast side this season for the first time since 2012/13 – when Sir Alex Ferguson’s team went on to win our 20th league title. With United only kept off the top of the Premier League by goal difference, Reds' fans will be hoping history repeats itself in more ways than one.