Manchester United secured a fifth successive win last night that moves them above their hosts and into third, yet Southampton boss Ronald Koeman will wonder exactly how his side lost.
In a game featuring two Dutch managers, a brace from Netherlands striker Robin van Persie, either side of Graziano Pelle’s equaliser, proved enough for United.
But the victors’ performance left Louis van Gaal with plenty to ponder as Southampton unsettled his side for long periods.
United’s boss sprang a surprise at kick-off as he named Paddy McNair as part of a back three. The formation had looked shaky the last time it was trialled, in the 2-1 victory at Arsenal, and it was no different last night as Southampton dominated from the off.
That said, the visitors went in front in the 12th minute as Van Persie punished Jose Fonte for a blind and chronically under hit back pass, sliding the ball under Saints keeper Fraser Forster.
Going in front did nothing to settle United or knock their hosts off their stride, though, and the visitors’ woes were soon compounded as Chris Smalling limped off injured. Jonny Evans came on in his place but was unable to stop the rot as Pelle, Dusan Tadic, Sadio Mane and Shane Long swarmed over the under-protected back three.
And with 14 minutes of the half left the pressure told as Steven Davis latched onto a misplaced pass from Marouane Fellaini. The Ulsterman drove at United, who were unable to clear the danger, and after Tadic saw his effort blocked, Pelle followed in to equalise.
Eight minutes later, and after Long had spurned an excellent chance to give Saints the lead, Van Gaal took McNair out of the firing line, bringing on Ander Herrera.
The switch did little to redress the balance and the Saints onslaught continued after half-time. Long and Pelle both should have scored, the former placing a free header straight at De Gea.
The Southampton pressure had been relentless for the first 15 minutes of the half, yet having weathered that storm United took the lead with under 20 to go.
Bar the opener, Van Persie had been a peripheral figure all evening but it was the Dutchman who ghosted in at the far post to add a deft touch to Wayne Rooney’s free kick, nutmegging Forster.
De Gea was sent sprawling across goal on several occasions before the end, but Saints were unable to prevent a third successive defeat.