Manchester United vs. Southampton: Score, Grades, Reaction from EPL Game

Dusan Tadic stepped off the bench to end Southampton's 27-year wait for a win at Manchester United with a 1-0 victory.

The Serbia international replaced Saints debutant Eljero Elia in the 63rd minute and was celebrating in front of the visiting fans just six minutes later after brilliantly placing a rebound home.

The victory also saw Southampton move above United into third place in the Premier League after a superb defensive display at Old Trafford to end the Red Devils' 11-match unbeaten run.

Even with talents such as Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Angel Di Maria on the field, United could barely muster a chance on goal throughout the 90 minutes, as the Saints outwitted their opponents even after losing Toby Alderweireld to injury early on in the game.

Daley Blind and Di Maria returned to the United starting lineup, while Victor Valdes was on the bench after signing for the club this week.

However, the real surprise came up front, as there was no place in the squad for Radamel Falcao.

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman gave Elia his debut, while Nathaniel Clyne and Alderweireld returned to the defence.

The Saints opened the game on a high note. After playing a one-two with Graziano Pelle, Clyne fired just wide of David de Gea's post.

But United soon found their feet, and Alderweireld needed to be alert as a dangerous Di Maria header across the six-yard area posed a threat. However, the Belgium defender picked up an injury as he overstretched to cut out a through ball and was forced off the field to be replaced by Florin Gardos.

After 30 minutes of the game, though, there had been little excitement in front of either goal, with each team cancelling out the other.

Ryan Bertrand became the first caution of the day after pulling Antonio Valencia back in the 35th minute.

Van Persie almost set Di Maria up with a through ball to chase, but the Argentina international, perhaps lacking match fitness, was unable to trouble Fraser Forster in the Southampton goal.

Wayne Rooney bulldozed his way to the edge of the area before releasing the ball to Van Persie to his left, but Gardos blocked the Netherlands international's shot.

The second half began in a similar vein, as smart Southampton defending prevented United from threatening Forster's goal. But the home side's lack of creativity was also adding to the stalemate.

Van Persie entered referee Phil Dowd's notebook in the 58th minute for a foul on Jose Fonte, but the striker was soon replaced by Ander Herrera as he left the field with a grimace.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Elia had a quiet debut for Southampton and was replaced by Tadic in the 63rd minute. Former Saints defender Luke Shaw soon followed for United, as Tyler Blackett came on in his place. But it was the visitors' switch which had the most immediate impact in the 69th minute.

Tadic played Pelle into space in the right-hand channel, and the Italian struck De Gea's post with his considered strike. However, the rebound bounced into Tadic's path, and he passed the ball into the net from just inside the penalty area and beyond Blackett's lunge.

The goalscorer removed his shirt as he raced to celebrate with the Southampton supporters and was cautioned as a result.

There was a good chance for Juan Mata to equalise in the 78th minute when Forster palmed a Blind cross into his path, but the Spain international side-footed across the goal and wide. Moments later, the same combination of players saw the former Chelsea man fire over the crossbar from in front of goal after a low Blind cross into the area.

But Southampton had simply nullified United throughout the match to give Koeman a satisfying victory over his old rival Van Gaal.

Selected Player Ratings

Angel Di Maria: A-

It might have been due to the lack of match fitness, but the Manchester United forward looked out of sorts in the first period, as his passing and creativity lacked any cohesion.

Eljero Elia: B

The Southampton debutant looked off the pace in his first game after joining from Werder Bremen and barely touched the ball in the opening 45 minutes. He put in a solid shift until his 63rd-minute substitution for Dusan Tadic.

Michael Carrick: A

The England international proves his worth to Louis van Gaal and United with every passing game this season. His role in defensive midfield gives the United back-line stability.

What's Ahead

Manchester United have a rare Saturday 3 p.m. kick-off next weekend for their Premier League match at Queens Park Rangers.

Southampton have a midweek date at Ipswich Town of the Championship on Wednesday in an FA Cup third-round replay.

Post-Match Reaction