RALPH Hasenhuttl was asked how far he thinks he can take his Saints team and responded in jest: “From 9-0 to 1-1.”

The Austrian manager has accepted that the humiliating Old Trafford defeat to Manchester United, which took place just over a year ago, is “part of our history”.

However, Saints are looking to write their own history under the Austrian manager with a young, hungry and ambitious squad that are continuing to carry them up the table despite tough opposition.

The boss reminded media that he has not forgotten the events of February 2, 2021, when he was asked by The Athletic’s Carl Anka just how far he thinks his side can go.

“From 9-0 to 1-1. I know that it was nearly a year ago when we lost here,” he responded.

“(That was) a game in which we had no chance. It was a different team, we have now much more options with all the players we have tried to keep at the club and signed in the summer.

“We had a good transfer window but the rest is about working every day, on your habits and on your qualities. We have shown that we are getting better.”

Assessing his side’s performance in Manchester, which saw them go unbeaten in three Premier League matches versus Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and now United, he added: “We have shown that we can play a good game and this is good.

“We knew that they (United) would press a little more, in the last game against Tottenham we had a bit more time to build up on the ball and as much pressure was not there.

“It was not so easy and we still tried to be brave, but we were not quick enough in our decision making. We had not a lot of time to prepare for this game and this is very tough.”