Southampton vs. Manchester United: Score, Grades, Reaction from Premier League

Robin van Persie scored twice as Manchester United stole a 2-1 win over Southampton in the Premier League on Monday evening at St. Mary's Stadium.

In a contest that Southampton dominated for large spells, Van Persie was afforded just three shots over the course of the 90 minutes. But two of those found the net, as the Dutchman helped Louis van Gaal’s side leapfrog into third in the league table.

After going behind in the 12th minute, in part due to a self-inflicted defensive mistake, Graziano Pelle’s 31st-minute equaliser put Southampton on equal footing. But Ronald Koeman’s side were unable to take advantage of a few decent openings, and Van Persie eventually reminded them of the value of a clinical striker.

For United, it was a fifth successive win—a run that sees them just eight points behind league leaders Chelsea. Southampton, in contrast, have lost their last three—in the process dropping to fifth in the standings.

“I don’t think we played our best football today,” Van Persie told Sky Sports after the game. “But we fought hard and in the end we nicked it.

“It was a tough game, they have a good team. We knew what to expect but, in the end, I think it is our fifth straight victory—so we are on the up.”

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Goal: Robin van Persie 2nd v Southampton #MUFC #MufcVines https://t.co/nEN6R7UR7Y

— United Vines (@UnitedVines_) December 8, 2014"

Both sides entered the game with fitness issues and questions about how they would approach things tactically. Koeman adjusted his midfield options slightly, with Vincent Wanyama and Steven Davis sitting deeper and Dusan Tadic, Shane Long and Sadio Mane supporting Pelle in attack.

Van Gaal, meanwhile, persisted with a 3-5-2 formation—using Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young as de facto wing-backs with Wayne Rooney supporting Van Persie up front. United initially struggled to retain any possession, however, with Southampton pushing them back in the early phase of the match.

The home side created one decent chance as a result of their early pressure—Long missing the target from a Ryan Bertrand cross—but after 12 minutes they found themselves behind, almost entirely against the run of play. Jose Fonte was the unfortunate culprit. The Portuguese defender didn't see the danger as his back pass was anticipated and intercepted by the alert Van Persie, who danced onto the ball and slipped a shot between Fraser Forster’s legs.

That gave United the lead, but it did not help them turn the tide of the contest. Indeed, their second and final shot of the half (a wild long-range effort from Van Persie) would not come until time added on. Before that, Southampton continued to push forward with pace and incision, twice forcing Van Gaal to adjust his strategy.

The first change was at least partially forced, as Smalling limped off to be replaced by Jonny Evans just when Pelle started to dominate things in the middle of the park. The Italian should perhaps have done better with two great chances, but on the half-hour mark, he finally found the net with the third. Tadic’s initial effort was blocked, but Pelle latched onto the rebound to fire into the roof of the net.

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

That emboldened the Saints, quickly forcing Van Gaal into his second change. Centre-back Paddy McNair was withdrawn and Michael Carrick dropped back into the defence, as Ander Herrera entered the fray, presumably to give United an extra passer in central areas, something that might help them retain possession.

That might have been the theory, it did little to change the contest in practice, as United continued to looked disjointed and unimaginative on the ball, while Southampton grew in confidence. As the second half began, Long planted a glorious headed chance straight at De Gea, while Pelle continued to squander a number of openings.

Against that profligacy, Southampton were then dealt another blow when Van Persie stole a second goal against the run of play. The Dutchman was left completely unmarked at the far post as Rooney swung in a free-kick from deep, and his deft touch fooled Forster—the goalkeeper again saw the ball slip between his legs and into the net.

Ahead, to the surprise of many, for a second time, United were loath to give up the advantage and their defending became noticeably more disciplined and attentive. Steven Davis continued to probe from midfield, but the lack of imagination elsewhere in the team was a problem—Koeman eventually withdrew Tadic for 18-year-old debutant Jake Hesketh in a desperate bid to add a different dimension.

Hesketh’s introduction highlighted the lack of options Koeman had at his disposal, with the only marginally more experienced Emmanuel Mayuka eventually replacing Long. But as the game entered the final 10 minutes, it was the Saints full-backs who had the best chances. Nathaniel Clyne and Ryan Bertrand both raised De Gea’s heartbeat with shots that glanced only narrowly wide of goal.

As the game wound down, however, that was as close as the Saints would come. United saw out the 2-1 result and grabbed all three points.

“I felt good,” Van Persie added. “I’ve been feeling quite good over the last couple of weeks, fitness-wise. Tonight I could keep it up until the last minute, and that’s what you want. Then the goals, and the assists, and the wins will come.”

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Player Ratings

Player	Rating
Fraser Forster	5
Nathaniel Clyne	7
Jose Fonte	6
Maya Yoshida	6
Ryan Bertrand	7
Victor Wanyama	6
Steven Davis	8
Dusan Tadic	5
Shane Long	5
Sadio Mane	6
Graziano Pelle	6
Substitutions
Jake Hesketh	6
Emmanuel Mayuka	6

Player	Rating
David De Gea	7
Paddy McNair	5
Chris Smalling	6
Marcos Rojo	7
Antonio Valencia	6
Marouane Fellaini	5
Michael Carrick	7
Juan Mata	5
Ashley Young	7
Wayne Rooney	7
Robin van Persie	8
Substitutions
Jonny Evans	8
Ander Herrera	6
Darren Fletcher	n/a

What's Next?

Southampton visit Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday. The Saints will look to rebound after a poor run of form that has seen them lose three straight and only pick up one point from their last four matches.

Manchester United, meanwhile, have the small matter of the north-west derby with Liverpool to prepare for this Sunday.

Quotes taken from Sky Sports' live post-match broadcast.