United made it seven in a row when they beat Southampton 3-0 at Old Trafford yesterday. (Reports: BBC, Soccernet, Guardian, ManUtd.com.)

Southampton defended stoutly to keep the score at nil-nil for the first 45 minutes but the situation changed dramatically in the second half.

Ferdinand’s lobbed ball found an unmarked Scholes in the six-yard box and United’s number 18 headed the ball in the net for his fourth goal in three Premiership matches. The goal was scrappy but the Premiership doesn’t award extra points for style. More importantly, though, the goal broke Southampton’s spirit and the visitors just went to pieces as United tore into them again and again. (The Red Devils were so rampant they would register an astonishing 34 attempts on Southampton’s goal by the end of the match.)

It was no surprise when United doubled their lead five minutes after getting their first. Giggs produced a perfect chipped pass right where Rooney wanted it and the Boy Wonder not only beat Keller but he made it look easy.

(Remarkably, United had managed that with only ten players as Smith had been taken off for treatment after being injured in the build-up of the first goal.)

The third goal came courtesy of a brilliant Ronaldo volley. It was his first goal of the campaign and he’ll have to be that ruthless and direct if he’s to deliver the 12 goals he promised Ferguson.