Man Utd showed ‘X-Factor’ in Saints thrashing, says Solskjaer

James Holland
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Man Utd

Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says his team showed ‘the X-Factor’ in their 9-0 thrashing of Southampton.

The Red Devils were given an advantage early on as Alex Jankewitz saw red for a bad challenge on Scott McTominay.

Luckily the midfielder wasn’t too badly hurt and managed to play on.


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Aaron Wan-Bissaka put the home side ahead in the 18th minute. He dispatched of a great Luke Shaw cross.

Marcus Rashford and Edinson Cavani added to the scoring, while Jan Bednarek suffered an own goal.

Man Utd continued their dominance in the second half. Substitute Anthony Martial scored two.

McTominay, Bruno Fernandes and Dan James finished off the rout.

Speaking after the match, Solskjaer said: “Anthony Martial, it is good to get him going, he could have had another one with the chip. Unfortunately it did not go in but a good performance from everyone.

“You have to take your chances in tight or open games, you never know what might be the deciding factor, we know – better than anyone – what goal difference can do to you because we have lost the league on goal difference.

“Confidence is one thing but it was about the mojo and spark, the X-Factor. Mason Greenwood was terrific and his performance was top for a player who did not score a goal.”

Bednarek saw red for seemingly tripping up Martial in the box. Speaking about the incident, Solskjaer continued: “The second sending off for them, that rule should be taken away. The law that sends him off is a strange one. He had to come off but it was great to get a game like this. When they had a man sent off it was up to us to get the first goal.”