Manchester United legend Dwight Yorke was pleased to see the team’s ruthless side as they hit Southampton for NINE on Tuesday night.
The Saints went down to nine men at Old Trafford, thanks to a very dodgy VAR decision, and just could not cope with the Red Devils’ unrelenting attacking play as Ralph Hassenhutl’s side were put to the sword.
It’s the second successive season Southampton have been thrashed 9-0, with United smelling blood as Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, Edinson Cavani, Anthony Martial, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Scott McTominey and Daniel James all found the net.
And Yorke insists Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men are genuine title contenders once again after bouncing back from a rough patch of results in emphatic fashion.
United were ruled out of the title race after a shock defeat to rock-bottom Sheffield United and a bore goalless draw with Arsenal, which meant Man City knocked them off top spot.
And although Pep Guardiola’s side have a game in hand, the neighbouring rivals are now level on 44 points at the top flight summit.
Asked if United are genuine contenders for the title, three-in-a-row Premier League winner Yorke told the talkSPORT Breakfast: “I’ve always thought that.
“It’s been a really unusual season in so many respects, and a lot of people didn’t give Manchester United any chance at the beginning and they have gone through a very difficult time.
“But you’ve seen them elevate themselves in terms of consistency, winning games against the lesser teams which is something they have seemed to have a problem with. They always seem to do well against the big teams, but this time around it seems they’ve got the balance right.
“So I think they should embrace the fact they’re right in the thick of things.
“Although it hasn’t been like it for a few years now, when you play for United that’s always the mentality, that you’re going for the league, so that’s what I would tell the manager and that group of players at this moment in time.
“Last night was another stepping stone in terms of what Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has done. Every manager does through a difficult and challenging period, but he’s come through that and now he’s got United right at the top of the Premier League.
“He deserves a lot of credit, and the players as well.
“No one likes to see a team get destroyed 9-0 like Southampton were, but something has been missing from the team for a while… and I think they realise it was a chance to cash in for people like Anthony Martial who has been struggling for goals.
“You don’t really refuse those moments to add goals to your tally, so it was good to see and it was a good response from the last few negative results against Arsenal and Sheffield United.”