Ralph Hansenhuttl has admitted Southampton’s second 9-0 loss in as many seasons hurts “more, not less” than their first record-equalling loss.
Southampton were put to the sword by a rampant Manchester United at Old Trafford last night, getting off to a terrible start when midfielder Alex Jankewitz was sent off for a dangerous challenge in the second minute.
Things went from bad to worse for the Saints, as United put four past them in the opening half. The Red Devils refused to relent in the second half, equalling Leicester’s thrashing of the same side with a goal from Daniel James deep into injury time.
While a 9-0 loss is not a new experience for Hansenhuttl, the Austrian manager revealed in the post-match press conference that such a defeat doesn’t get any easier the second time around.
“We lost again in a horrible way,” said the manager, who pointed to his injury-depleted team.
“The same story, one man down [early] and so 90 minutes can be long.
“The lads had no alternatives – no players on the bench, no alternatives to defend better. In the end, it’s a different situation to the first time [Leicester], as it has been a good season so far and we are in a position we haven’t been for a long time [mid-table].
“We know what we’ve to do better. It hurts more not less to have this result again. But the team is a different one now. Let’s see how the season ends,” Hansenhuttl said.
Despite the record-equalling loss (no team has ever lost by more than nine goals in the Premier League) Southampton are not yet in danger of relegation, sitting 15 points ahead of 18th placed Fulham.
However, the Saints have had a torrid time since their shock 1-0 win against Liverpool last month, having lost their last four Premier League encounters.
The game saw Martial return to the scoresheet after seven without a goal, while Rashford and Cavani got just their second goal in nine games.
Solskjaer was delighted to see his front players back in goalscoring action, and praised his side for “playing properly” throughout.
He told BT Sport: “We have been waiting for them [the front players] to show the magic, and tonight was the night for them to go and enjoy, we haven’t had too many of them.
“They enjoyed it and there were some good performances. They have [recovered their mojo]. There were a lot of good performances and a result like this, scoring goals, is always good for the team.”
He then said in his post-match press conference: “What I liked about the performance was the hunger and attitude to do the right things, get better and better, practice the good habits, and that’s the only way we can improve and get better.”
Man Utd now host Everton on Saturday in the Premier League, While Southampton go to Newcastle on Saturday at 3pm in the Premier League.