By Tom Finn
Manchester United now sits third in the English Premiership thanks to a couple of goals from Dutch striker Robin van Persie, despite often looking second best to a determined Southampton.
The Red Devils led early after van Persie took advantage of a slack back pass from Jose Fonte, but the Saints fought back to equalize on 31 minutes when Pelle jumped on a blocked Tadic shot to put the match on level pegging.
Southampton were by far the better team doing everything they could to score but it was that man van Persie who in the 71st minute found himself unmarked at the back post and with Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster failing to come off his line to catch Wayne Rooney’s cross van Persie was able to volley the ball into the net with the outside of his boot.
The 1-2 result was United’s fifth win in a row despite only having had three shots on goal compared to 15 from the home side who failed to take advantage of United’s shaky defence.
Speaking after the match with Sky Sports United manager Louis van Gaal conceded that Southampton were the better side saying: “I think Southampton played better than Manchester United – I think we were the lucky guy.”
“We lost the ball too easily in the first half. We didn’t have very good positional play. The only chances that Southampton created were when we lost the ball.
“The first goal was a present from Southampton, but the second was very nice because I thought the goalkeeper was coming out but he didn’t, so we were very lucky.”
