Substitute Dusan Tadic’s second-half goal earned Southampton a rare and memorable 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Despite the hosts enjoying the majority of possession, and goalscoring chances, in Sunday’s encounter, Tadic netted 69 minutes in as United lost at home in the Barclays Premier League for the first time since the opening day.
The former Twente man calmly side-footed home from inside the area as Ronald Koeman’s men leapfrogged United into third.
Robin van Persie and Angel di Maria had threatened in a first half of few chances, but the home side lacked the cutting edge to take maximum points.
The Red Devils again flattered to deceive in spells after the break, with Tadic on hand to make them pay for their profligacy, reacting well to slot the winner after Graziano Pelle’s effort had rebounded off the post.
Koeman saw his side avenge their 2-1 defeat when the teams met at St Mary’s Stadium last month, with an injury that forced the withdrawal of Toby Alderweireld the only low point for the south-coast club, while Van Gaal has work to do to rediscover his side’s finishing touch if they are to regain third place.
Nathaniel Clyne – back in Southampton’s starting XI for the first time since Boxing Day – went close inside two minutes as he dragged a shot wide before Di Maria’s inviting cross failed to elicit a touch from any United team-mates.
Like Clyne, Alderweireld was also returning for the visitors, having not featured in the FA Cup draw with Ipswich Town, but the Belgian was forced off injured inside 20 minutes and replaced by Florin Gardos.
While the opening half hour was largely devoid of clear-cut chances, United ended the first period on top.
Van Persie played in Di Maria with a clever looped ball, but the former Real Madrid man miscontrolled, before the Dutchman saw an effort inside the area collected by Fraser Forster following a deflection off Gardos.
A tame, wayward effort from Di Maria, starting for United for the first time since November following injury troubles, proved the final chance of a low-key half in which neither side mustered an attempt on target.
The second half continued in much the same vein as the first, with United labouring up front against a resolute Southampton back line. With Radamel Falcao absent from the squad, the likes of Di Maria, Van Persie and Wayne Rooney struggled.
Chances continued to be at a premium for both sides, but crucially Southampton took theirs with the help of some calm finishing from Tadic before Juan Mata failed to make the most of two clear opportunities.
Attacking midfielder Tadic’s goal, which followed up his effort in the 2-0 victory over Arsenal on New Year’s Day, proved the difference as Southampton moved into third, two points clear of United, who have now won just one of their last five league matches.
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal: “We didn’t create so many chances, despite dominating the game. We gave them a chance in the first minute but dominated after that. We had three big chances, but it was not enough. Southampton were well organised, defended well but they came for a draw, I believe, and they go away with a win, which is disappointing. “[Juan] Mata had three chances, but you cannot change the result. We gave the goal away. Football is game from mistakes.”
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman: “We defended well and the spirit was unbelievable from the players, [we were] a little bit lucky but remember the [reverse] game, Man Utd was the lucky one. Maybe we are [lucky] but if you finally win you deserve to win because I think it’s a compliment to the players how they play.
“I said before we could make it very difficult for them and we did. We know we have a strong team and that was important at the end of December. We got a point off Chelsea, the three points against Arsenal, it makes for good belief among the players. That’s always what you need if you are not a big club and you have to play a big one. We are not afraid of the name, or the stadium. I think we learned that in the last few weeks.”
source: premierleague.com
STUDIO 3 NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA 