Second 9-0 drubbing has put Ralph’s reputation on the line
TO lose one game 9-0 is a misfortune, to lose two games 9-0 is careless.
Ralph Hasenhuttl’s reputation is back on the line, make no mistake.
Understandably, the instinct is to recall how the drubbing by Leicester at St Mary’s in October 2019 somehow acted as a long-term positive.
They actually lost their next three matches following the Leicester game but did enjoy a resurgence after that.
But in the aftermath of Tuesday’s capitulation at Old Trafford, things felt even grimmer than 16 months ago.
Yes, Hasenhuttl (below) had been forced to field a weakened team. Yes, the early recklessness of Alex Jankewitz was a crushing setback. But the sound of Southampton silence was the sound of surrender.
After Aaron Wan-bissaka started the United ball rolling, there was no vocal presence in the Saints ranks. A team depleted in quality and quantity was up against a full complement of very decent Manchester United players, but the acceptance of inevitable defeat jarred. As did Hasenhuttl hanging 19-year-old Jankewitz out to dry.
Even after a little time to consider the wider ramifications, Hasenhuttl said: “Everything that happened today was based on a mistake from the very beginning from a young player. It’s something we have to live with.”
And something the promising Jankewitz is going to have to live with, which is unfair because everything that happened against United was not just down to his mistake.
Hasenhuttl and his 10-man team simply could not organise themselves. Even against a good United side and even allowing for the late dismissal of Jan Bednarek when the score was 6-0, it was a defensive humiliation.
Regardless of the reaction to their previous nine-goal calamity, Saints boss Hasenhuttl is under serious pressure. And so he should be.