Southampton vs. Manchester United: Ronald Koeman and Louis Van Gaal Reaction

A Robin van Persie brace saw Manchester United through to a hard-fought 2-1 win at St. Mary's on Monday evening, a result which fires the Red Devils into third place, their highest position since the 2012-13 campaign.    

Louis van Gaal's men were made to fight for their three points on the south coast, but in the battle of Dutch masterminds, it was Old Trafford's boss who trumped Saints counterpart Ronald Koeman.

Jon Super/Associated Press

The victors had just three shots on target but managed to take away two as Van Persie's strike rate continued to improve. 

Koeman was all too aware of the attacking pressure his side put to waste, telling Sky Sports Monday Night Football that a difference in clinical nature was the telling factor.

"I think we were the better team. We played football, attacking, and pressed them," said Koeman. "We didn't capitalize on their mistakes though and they had the quality to punish ours. We deserved more."

The official Premier League Twitter account provides further notes from Koeman, advancing on that theme of not giving one's opponent the chances to move ahead:

With a fifth consecutive victory in hand, Van Gaal will be pleased with the progress his team is making, but by no means are the Red Devils the finished article, and it showed on Monday.

Speaking to Sky Sports (h/t BBC Sport) after the result, the visiting tactician still had weaknesses to point out in United's performance, hailing luck as a major contributor to the scoreline:

"

We lost the ball too easily in the first half. The only chances Southampton created were when we lost the ball. That was not good in spite of our good result because we got a present also from Southampton.

In the second half we were better. But I think Southampton played better than Manchester United yet we were the lucky guys.

"

After winning just one of their first five fixtures this season, United haven't yet returned to their former greatness by any stretch of the imagination, but confidence in certainly in the ascendancy.

Asked whether his side have momentum heading into the Christmas schedule, Van Gaal was cautious to get ahead of himself, per Sky Sports (h/t Neil Johnston of BBC Sport).

"The performance was not good enough so I cannot say it," said Van Gaal. "We were the lucky team this evening. You have to improve the performance, train to work hard and that's it."

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Paddy McNair started in defence for United, his latest appearance in what's been a breakout term thanks to the heap of defensive injuries at Old Trafford.

However, the youngster was withdrawn before the break and Van Gaal commented on his decision, via Johnston:

"

He had no confidence, he had given three chances away. It's very disappointing for me and for Paddy, but I had to because as a manager I am responsible. It's tough but it's also in his best interests. I have made a lot of changes and all the boys can survive. It is only one match, one moment in a lifetime.

"

Following Southampton's soaring form in the first half of the 2014-15 campaign, this was seen as a crucial fixture in both teams' hopes of finishing among the top four, and United will count their blessings despite the triumph.    

Both teams have lessons to learn from the scrap. The Red Devils next play host to Liverpool on Sunday, while Southampton have a less daunting trip to face Burnley at Turf Moor.