Match Day 3: Southampton vs Manchester United

When : 02-09-2012, Sunday

What : Southampton vs Manchester United 

Where : St. Mary's Stadium

Attendance: 31,609

Referee: Mike Dean

Result : Southampton 2 - 3 Manchester United

Scorers: Manchester United:  Robin Van Persie - 23rd Minute  (Assist : Valencia)

                                    Robin Van Persie - 87th Minute (Assist: Ferdinand)                                                                             Robin Van Persie - 90+2  Minutes (Assist: Nani)

Fulham: Lambert - 16th Minute (Assist: Puncheon)

         Schneiderlin -55th Minute (Assist: )

Southampton hosted Manchester United at the St. Mary's stadium. The hosts were yet to open their points tally this season and the prospects of doing that looked bleak with the Red Devils as the opposition. For Manchester United this was a special occasion. This was Sir Alex Ferguson's 1000th match in charge of the Red Devils. The greatest manager in the history of the game adding yet another feather to his cap. With Rooney out for a month, the Red Devils had to rely on Van Persie to lead the attack. David De Gea was replaced by Anders Lindergaard in goal. The good news for United was the return of the Ferdinand Vidic partnership in defense after a gap of 9 months. Rafael was on the right and Evra on the left of what looked like a strong defense for United. Carrick was back to his usual position in the center of midfield with Cleverly, Valencia and Wellback for company. Van Persie started up front with Kagawa playing behind him as a support striker.

Manchester United started off on a brighter note keeping the ball and passing it around. Those who expected Southampton to roll over were in for a shock. As the match progressed Southampton started influencing the game. United did not look sharp and had a lot of passes which were either short or over hit. Southampton pressed and the results showed off as Lambert headed a cross from Puncheon into the goal. Much to the joy of the home crowd Southampton lead United by a goal. They looked sharper and passed the ball around swiftly. But it did not take long for United to equalize. Valencia crossed into the box and Van Persie was there to smash the ball into the net and make it 1-1. United did not really look to take the game from there and they were pretty awful at times with the ball. Southampton though kept attacking and had the United defense troubled. The partnership of Vidic and Ferdinand was not really living up to its standards. 

Both teams were level at half time. Southampton came out looking sharper and hungrier and it was no surprise that they took the lead through another defensive mistake from United. When the ball was passed into the box, Evra slipped and that helped Schneiderlin put the ball into the goal with a free header. Southampton were leading the visitors by 2-1 and the home crowd were hoping to be part of one of their greatest victories ever. United had to react and SAF sent on Scholes and Nani for Cleverly and Kagawa and reverted back to a 4-4-2 formation. The arrival of Scholes gave United the much needed composure in midfield. Scholes had an immediate impact gliding a  ball through the defense which Van Persie failed to convert. United then had a golden chance when Van Persie won a penalty. But Van Persie failed to convert it going for a chip over the goal keeper which the keeper saved comfortably. With time running out United looked like they would drop points for the second game this season.

Hernandez was brought on to replace Wellback. All though United had the ball they were not able to penetrate the home team defense. Southampton looked to counter attack and score a third goal which would guarantee them a surprise win. It is not for nothing that United are known as the comeback Kings. With three minutes of normal time remaining United had a corner. Southampton failed to clear and when the ball came back into the box, Rio Ferdinand headed the ball only to see it bounce of the post. But Van Persie was there to tap the ball in and level the scores. Southampton looked dejected and down and United turned up the pressure. They had yet another corner in the 92nd minute and when Van Persie headed Nani's corner into the goal United had yet again comeback from the jaws of defeat to gain all 3 points. Van Persie had his first hat trick for the Red Devils and a man who looked like his missed penalty had cost 3 points, came back strongly to win it for the devils. Southampton played really well and it was cruel to see them not win any points. Manchester United continued there journey with yet another 3 points that saw them go to 5th in the points table. United will have to make sure the defense keeps things tight at the back and not give away any easy goals.

The Premier league will return two weeks later. The international fixtures are scheduled for this week.

Man Of The Match: Robin Van Persie

Next Fixture: 

Manchester United  vs Wigan Athletic

When : 15-09-12 

Where : Old Trafford