Good afternoon and welcome to our coverage of what promises to be a really intriguing battle. Southampton suffered through a painful period in late November/early December where they lost five straight games, including that 2-1 defeat to United. But since then, they’ve racked up some impressive results – easily brushing aside Everton and Arsenal and drawing with Chelsea.

Let’s get straight to the teams, shall we?

Manchester United: De Gea, Valencia, Smalling, Jones, Shaw, Carrick, Di Maria, Blind, Mata, Rooney, van Persie.

Subs: Evans, Ander Herrera, Fellaini, Valdes, McNair, Blackett, Wilson.

Southampton: Forster, Clyne, Fonte, Alderweireld, Bertrand, Wanyama, Schneiderlin, Steven Davis, Ward-Prowse, Elia, Pelle.

Subs: Kelvin Davis, Gardos, Long, Tadic, Isgrove, Reed, Targett.

So, United make a couple of changes from their last league outing. One is enforced – Ashley Young is out for the next 4-6 weeks with a hamstring injury. Jonny Evans is dropped and Falcao misses out too. In come Antonio Valencia, Daley Blind and Angel di Maria.

New signing, goalkeeper Victor Valdes, is included in a United squad for the very first time.

A couple of changes for Koeman’s side too. They welcome some big-hitters back in the form of Nathaniel Clyne and Morgan Schneiderlin while they also hand a debut to new loan signing Eljero Elia.

Dusan Tadic drops to the bench where Shane Long is also among the substitutes.

The new arrival. Probably a little miffed he has to carry the balls.

Martin Rickett / PA Wire/Press Association Images Martin Rickett / PA Wire/Press Association Images / PA Wire/Press Association Images

Lots of sub-plots to this clash. Not least Luke Shaw facing his former club for the first time. He hasn’t changed a bit, really.

lukeshaw23 / Instagram

There have been plenty of memorable clashes between these sides, though the majority have come in Southampton’s back-yard.

In 1999 though, there was a 3-3 draw at Old Trafford with an Italian goalkeeper playing a pivotal role. But whatever happened to Massimo Taibi, the ‘Blind Venetian’? Here’s a piece I did earlier this morning…

Lots of talk about Falcao. He’s been dropped, left out altogether, though Van Gaal has said he’s rested. Increasingly looks like committing to a permanent deal for the Colombian would be a silly move from United.

The teams are in the tunnel. Predictions, everyone?

Also, how much is Juan Mata delivering under Van Gaal? His performances have been excellent and the Dutchman clearly appreciates his consistency by keeping faith with him again and again.

Personally, I’m a huge fan of James Ward-Prowse in the Southampton midfield. Brilliant passing ability and unerring accuracy from set-pieces. Still so young and will only get better.

AND WE’RE OFF! 

What a start for the guests. United are at sixes and sevens and Clyne attacks down the right, plays a neat one-two and fires in a shot that goes narrowly past De Gea’s far post.

United have taken a breath and everything has calmed down a bit. Slowly trying to find some holes in the Saints’ defence and Di Maria has just won a free-kick in a decent position here.

That’s better from United. Dangerous cross sent to the far post, Smalling knocks it across the area and the confusion leads to a United corner. Moments later, Di Maria races along the edge of the area and fires in a cross-cum-shot to the far corner – it misses everyone though and goes a couple of feet wide.

Formation-wise, Rooney remains in that midfield role with Carrick a little deeper. Meanwhile, Di Maria seems to be playing on the shoulder of Van Persie. Mata doing his usual roaming.

Some nice, lovely stats for you.

Ward-Prowse sends in a dangerous free-kick for Southampton. It’s aimed at Jose Fonte at the far post and Carrick has to do really well to stay strong and help it out for a corner. The centre-back seemed ready to nod towards goal and it was bound to cause De Gea problems. Good defensive work from Carrick.

A pretty timid opening 15 here. Southampton have worked hard to try and stop United from threading passes and, so far, there’s been a lack of inspiration from the home side. Mata has shown some nice touches and could be the player to unlock the Saints’ defence.

A problem for Ronald Koeman here. Toby Alderweireld is going to have to go off. Looks like a hamstring injury and that’s a big blow. He’s been a really solid addition since arriving in the summer. Florin Gardos is set to replace the Belgian.

CLOSE! Bit of confusion as United had put the ball out of play so Alderweireld could get treatment. Phil Dowd says it’s a dropped ball instead but United pick it up and immediately go on the attack. Van Persie feeds Di Maria and he flashes a shot narrowly wide.

First real involvement for Elia as Ward-Prowse feeds him down the left. But he cuts inside and doesn’t really do much. With players in support, he sends in a tame cross and United get it clear, though Rooney is lucky he doesn’t get blown for a foul on Davis as he goes right through the Saints’ midfielder on the edge of the area.

Fonte is involved again here as Southampton play a short corner on the right. Looks like they’re swallowed up but United are very slack in closing down and allow the cross. Fonte gets above Smalling while Carrick doesn’t even get off the ground. But the header is well wide. A decent chance. On the replay, Smalling is clearly pulling Pelle’s shirt – and it says much about his abilities as Fonte glides above him, unmarked.

Not quite sure what Antonio Valencia is doing here. He starts the move with a pass inside for Phil Jones who plays a clever ball in-field. United work it to Shaw on the left and the cross falls to Valencia at the far post. It drops perfectly for a shot but he elects to cut it back and it’s thumped clear by a Southampton boot. A lack of self-belief from the wing-back?

Valencia pops up again on the right and bursts forward. Ryan Bertrand trails and desperately takes down the Ecuador international. As a result, he becomes the first player to pick up a booking.

CLOSE! Southampton are lucky here. Van Persie intercepts in a dangerous area and plays it over the top for Di Maria to race onto it. His first touch takes him away from goal and he has to look for support. Mata is racing into the six-yard area but the cross is on the Argentine’s weaker foot and it’s easily grabbed by Fraser Forster. Big chance.

VERY CLOSE! Rooney at his best. He drives at the Southampton defence and beats one defender and bounces off another before feeding Van Persie on his shoulder. The striker lines up the shot and it looks to be heading on target when there’s a magnificent, last-ditch block and Forster is off his line to grab the loose ball.

Di Maria picks it up, about 25 yards out and decides to unleash a left-footer. But he doesn’t catch it properly and it always seems destined to bounce wide of the near post. And that’s exactly what happens with Forster watching it all the way too.

CLOSE! More from United, who have finished the half strongly. The cross from the left is half-cleared and Rooney jumps a couple of feet in the air to win the resulting header. It ends up being a perfect pass for Mata, who forces Forster into a smart save with his foot. But, it wouldn’t have counted because the Spaniard had strayed into an offside position.

AND THAT’S THE FIRST HALF!  

A quiet affair, with Southampton content to sit back, keep their discipline and cut the supply line to United’s key players. But as the half wore on, more space started to appear and Mata, Rooney and Di Maria began to enjoy themselves a bit more. United have been the better side though will want more awareness in the final third. Mata has been impressive while Rooney continues to thrive in that midfield role. At the back, they’ve not given much away though Fonte is a threat from set-pieces.

He’s back (starting) after a lengthy absence but he still won’t be too happy with these numbers.

AND WE’RE UNDERWAY AGAIN! 

CLOSE! Again, it’s a corner from Southampton that Ward-Prowse expertly drills in. Fonte rises and just misses it. He evaded Carrick again and United need to rectify this or will be punished. Moments later, a cross from the left drops invitingly for Pelle and as he pulls the trigger, Luke Shaw comes across and makes a brilliant block. Superb defensive work because that was very dangerous.

Another great start by Southampton to this half. They’ve forced a couple of set-pieces and they’re a real threat because of Ward-Prowse’s execution. Elia has just burst down the left after great skill to evade Jones while United offer up a half-chance when Di Maria breaks clear but can’t find Van Persie.

Rooney picks out the head of Jones with a delicate free-kick delivery but the defender can’t hit the target despite the delivery having great pace on it. Needed a neat glance but he seemed to get too much on it and the ball looped over the top.

We can see his point.

It’s rare you see it but Van Persie’s first touch isn’t great, Fonte grapples with him, knocks him off the ball, the Dutchman wraps his feet around the defender in frustration and gets a booking for his troubles.

It looks like Van Persie has picked up an injury and he’s replaced by Ander Herrera. He doesn’t take his place in the dugout but walks towards the dressing-room with United’s physio. Herrera slots into midfield and Rooney has moved up front now.

A second change for the guests as Dusan Tadic comes on to replace Elia, whose debut was a little underwhelming.

And another change for United here. Ex-Southampton player Luke Shaw goes off and is replaced by Tyler Blackett. Looks like Daley Blind has moved across to play on the left flank.

Southampton in front! They’ve been superb defensively. And now, they’ve taken control of this. Tadic, who just came on minutes ago, slips it to Pelle on his right – the shot comes back off the upright and rebounds to Tadic – he sends a controlled finish to the empty net. 3 United players were drawn to the ball as Tadic slipped the initial pass through to the striker.

And Van Gaal throws on Marouane Fellaini now in place of Di Maria. Expect the crosses to continue. Not quite Moyes v Fulham but needs must for the hosts now…

Here’s the Tadic goal. Poor again from United’s defence but a lovely finish.

A couple of players have gone in the book in the last few minutes. Goalscorer Dusan Tadic and Michael Carrick both get on the wrong side of Phil Dowd.

VERY CLOSE! It should be 1-1. Blind whips in a cross from the left and it’s tricky for Forster who pushes it away from right under his crossbar but it drops onto the right foot of Juan Mata who hits it first time towards the far corner. It slides about an inch or two wide.

VERY CLOSE! Mata with another glorious chance. Blind again the provider and he sends in a terrific near-post cross where Mata side-foots it over the bar. He seemed certain to score and he should’ve found the net.

Some more fresh legs for the guests as 19 year-old Harrison Reed comes in for Steven Davis.

Says it all, really.

Just a few minutes left of normal time and United seem all out of ideas. The decision to leave Falcao out of the squad has certainly backfired with United having missed an imposing presence in the area. The chances spurned by Mata in particular certainly would’ve been put away by the Colombian.

The good news for United is that there will be 5 minutes of injury time.

Southampton haven’t won at Old Trafford since January 1988. That day, Colin Clarke scored twice for the Saints. United’s side featured Kevin Moran at centre-half. Liam O’Brien later came on as a substitute and replaced his fellow Irishman. Andy Townsend was in the Southampton midfield too.

About 50 seconds to go here. Great display from Ronald Koeman’s side.

AND THAT’S IT!

Southampton jump above United in the league table and move into third. Louis van Gaal’s side lose their first top-flight game since 2nd November but plenty to think about for the Dutchman.

They had a lot of the ball in the first half but failed to create solid opportunities. And after the break, they never properly got going at all. The substitutions only seemed to make things worse and the decision to leave Radamel Falcao out of the match-day squad certainly backfired. Van Persie struggled and after he was brought off, Rooney seemed rusty when leading the line. It said much that Fellaini was introduced just so he could be a physical threat under high balls.

For the Saints, their remarkable season continues and Koeman masterminded a tactical masterclass, stunting United for much of the game. The midfield of Schneiderlin, Wanyama and Ward-Prowse was outstanding and it was the perfect away performance in many ways.

Thanks for staying with us. We’ll be back with more reaction and analysis on the site shortly.