The Senegalese forward struck three and Shane Long also scored as the Saints blasted their way past the Champions League semi-finalists
City boss Manuel Pellegrini made eight changes to his side ahead of Wedneday's huge Champions League semi-final second leg at Real Madrid.
And Southampton ensured woeful City would head to Spain on the back of a thrashing with a thrilling display and win that lifted them up to seventh.
Shane Long opened the scoring in the 25th minute before Mane took over, slotting in his first three minutes later.
Kelechi Iheanacho pulled a goal back for City on the stroke of half-time before Mane scored twice more after the break to complete his treble.
Iheanacho bent in his second of the game to make it 4-2 late on but by then the damage had already been done.
1. Long wait proving worth it
It has taken a while but Shane Long is finally getting the chance he has craved up front.
He has had to be patient, waiting behind Graziano Pelle and Charlie Austin for a regular run, but is justifying Ronald Koeman's decision to finally give him a shot.
The Irishman is ideal for the position – quick, good in the air, occupies defenders, works incredibly hard and is a big goal threat.
His opener was his third in four games.
2. City reserves looked disinterested
Manuel Pellegrini made eight changes to the side that started the Champions League semi-final first leg and few of the back-up boys should expect to retain their places when they travel to the Bernabeu on Wednesday.
City were defensively poor, sloppy in possession and at times looked disinterested. If he had any doubts about the side he was going to pick to face Real Madrid this was an opportunity missed to give Pellegrini some food for thought.
READ MORE: All the action as it happened
3. Deadly Kelechi
City's exciting young striker Kelechi Iheanacho was the one exception and player who could leave St Mary's with his head held high.
He marked just his ninth start at Southampton with two goals to take his tally to 13 for City.
He has had a brilliant breakthrough season as a City first teamer and has got a huge future ahead of him.
If City desperately need one against Madrid Pellegrini knows Iheanacho is an option he can rely on to sniff out a chance.
4. Lambert remains a favourite
No matter where he goes or what he does, Rickie Lambert will always be loved at St Mary's. The striker was back at the club who he plundered 117 goals for in five years to help plug another favourite Kelvin Davis's upcoming testimonial.
The Southampton fans who still worship him chanted “ Rickie Lambert, he wants to come home” during his half-time pitch-side interview.
Having fallen out of favour at West Brom he probably does.
5. Otamendi's struggles
You got the feeling Otamendi might not fancy it when he was the only player to walk out wearing gloves. His defending only backed up that feeling.
Otamendi had an unwanted part to play in Southampton's first three goals. He was caught dozing for the first two, reacting too slowly and allowing Shane Long and Sadio Mane to beat him to the ball.
And then Virgil van Dijk beat him easily in the air in the build up Southampton's third.
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