Ex-Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor slams Southampton's performance at Manchester United as Ralph Hassunhutl's side prepare for Newcastle trip

The Saints, who will travel to Newcastle this weekend, had suffered several injury setbacks ahead of their meeting with United, meaning manager Ralph Hassunhutl was forced to hand two teenagers their first senior starts.

One of those players, Swiss midfielder Alex Jankewitz, was shown a red card after just two minutes for a horror tackle on Scott McTominay.

The 19-year-old will be suspended for the game at St James' Park, as will defender Jan Bednarek, who was sent off four minutes from time when the score was 6-0.

But despite the circumstances, Agbonlahor says no team should be losing by such a big margin at Premier League level, especially as Hassunhutl’s side were beaten 9-0 by Leicester last season.

The former Villa man told TalkSport: “You have to look at the way the goals went in, some of them yes they were unlucky but you can’t be losing 9-0.

“As a team when you go down to ten men you get everyone behind the ball, you play like a false number nine and you make it difficult.

“How many teams have said in games they’ve found it more difficult playing against 10 men than 11.

“For me there is no excuse for those Southampton players and they capitulated really.

“After losing 9-0 to Leicester you’d think they’d have learnt their lesson and they have to ask serious questions about themselves in that changing room.”

A message from the Football Clubs Editor

Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Newcastle United coverage 365 days a year.

This depth of coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to, please consider taking out a subscription; sign up here.

Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor