Manchester United have jumped to third in the table after brace from Dutch striker Robin van Persie earned full three points against Southampton at St Mary’s on Monday night.

The hosts undoubtedly were the better side than the two and had 15 shots in the match, but their profligacy in front of goal let them down.

The visitors took the early lead, after Robin van Persie pounced on Jose Fonte’s slack backpass in the 12th min. Check the goal below: 

Van Persie scores for United! What a poor back pass from Fonte! – http://t.co/0KqNLGPfX9 #MUFC

— The Aspirer (@AspirerUK) December 8, 2014

Graziano Pelle, who has been in great form for the Saints, restored parity within next 18 minutes. Poor pass from Fellaini the build up to the goal. 

The home side created chances after chances, but it was United who came away with all three points, after Van Persie guided home from Wayne Rooney’s free kick.

Second goal from robin van persie. Nicey memang umpan dari rooney https://t.co/m67EfY71Kc — UI Palangkaraya (@UtdIndonesiaPKY) December 8, 2014

Check out the full highlights of the match below:

Post Match Reactions: Louis van Gaal said his side were lucky to have come out with full three points. He said, via The Times:

“Tonight we were the lucky team. They were not good. Normally you have six, seven or eight who were good. Today, too many players were not good. It’s fantastic to be third in the table but I had hoped we would do that with a better performance.”

Ronald Koeman, the Southampton boss, said his team deserved something from the game. He however praised Robin van Persie but feels they lost because of themselves. 

“We lost not against Manchester United, we lost by ourselves,” Koeman said.

“I don’t give my opinion about them [but] I like to see my team playing football. If we lose or win that’s the way we play. We don’t like to play the long ball. We deserved much more tonight, but we did mistakes. Give a player like Van Persie that kind of mistake then he will punish you.”

Robin van Persie after the match:

Was there a doubt in the first place “@Lizutd: “WE’LL BE BACK,TRUST ME”……♪♪♪♪”OOOH ROBIN VAN PERSIE” ♪♪♪♪♪ https://t.co/vdJhCQOYrY”

— Apoorv~ (@apoorv_tandon) December 8, 2014

Tweets & Stats:

Robin van Persie was the only Man Utd player to have a shot vs. Southampton. 3 shots, 2 goals, 3 points. pic.twitter.com/o7IqV32JUH — Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 8, 2014

Van Persie back scoring for fun. Man UTD back winning when they are poor. Well, we all know what that mean…. #mufc

— Jan Aage Fjortoft (@JanAageFjortoft) December 8, 2014

That makes Van Persie @ManUtd‘s leading goal-scorer with six goals. Maybe he’s not finished yet.

— James Robson (@JamesRobsonMEN) December 8, 2014

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