By MARTIN BLACKBURN
WAYNE ROONEY put the Saints into Room 101.
The striker’s double took his tally to 101 goals at Old Trafford as United became the first club to win 300 Prem home games.
They are now seven points clear at the top but boss Alex Ferguson admitted: “We were fortunate to win but winning is the name of the game at this stage of the season.
“In my experience when you are going for championships there’s always a game when you say we were a bit lucky — and I think this was one of those nights.
“In the second half Southampton put in the best performance anyone has put in here this season.”
United gifted Jay Rodriguez a third-minute opener as Michael Carrick’s back pass put keeper David De Gea in trouble but normal service seemed to have resumed with Rooney’s double before the break.
However Saints, under new boss Mauricio Pochettino, had United rocking in the second half.
Southampton are just three points outside the drop zone.
There was enough in their performance, though, to suggest they are good enough to pull themselves out of trouble.
Argentinian Pochettino said: “I’m very proud of Ferguson’s praise. It’s very important for my players to hear. But we leave with no points.
“We did play well but I’m upset at not getting a draw at least. It doesn’t console me.
“In the second half we played as we should have done for the whole game. I think it’s important for the team to know we can play that well.”
