Dusan Tadic came off the bench to score the only goal of the game as Southampton frustrated, shut out and ultimately deflated Manchester United as they recorded a momentous 1-0 win - the first time they have won in the Premier League at Old Trafford.
With United struggling to apply any pressure to a watertight visiting defence, Serbia's Tadic - who replaced Eljero Elia after being spotted in the technical area without his shirt or shin pads on - was coolness personIfied as he stroked the ball into the gaping net after Graziano Pelle's shot had come back off a post.
It was no more than he deserved having cut United open with the pass that provided Pelle with his chance. He was booked after converting from the rebound, but that will mean little to Southampton manager Ronald Koeman, whose side are two points clear of Manchester United in third place.
United's unbeaten run is halted at 10, but they can have few complaints about losing this one with Juan Mata squandering two obvious chances to rescue a point from a match in which United were largely silenced by the Premier League's best defence.
United's starting line-up was worth £274 million, but they did not manage one shot on goal throughout an eminently forgettable afternoon.
OOJ - Manchester United vs Southampton (Juan Mata)
TALKING POINT: Can Southampton qualify for the Champions League? Very much so. They look set to challenge United for the rest of the campaign. Ronald Koeman's side provide a lesson in how to play the game. They are not full of flair, but they are as tough as old boots. If you want to come up with a blueprint in how to play the game away from home, this is it. Compact in defence and midfield with a real threat on the break, Southampton will win more games than they lost for the remainder of the season. Koeman deserves enormous credit for the condition of the squad given what he inherited in the close season.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton): Strolled through the afternoon. Little wonder he is wanted by some of the Premier League's larger concerns. A class act, who proved he belongs on such a stage. With Jose Fonte organising matters superbly at the back, Saints are well in the frame for the Champions League..
KEY MOMENTS
2' CHANCE! Clyne with an early chance to score. Bounds up the park, and smashes the ball a few yards wide. Southampton starting sharply in this match
17' INJURY Alderweireld has suffered a muscle pull here. He is on the ground. And that could be the end of his evening after he tracked the run of Di Maria.
28' CHANCE! Southampton work the ball short. Davis with the ball deep looking for Fonte, but he heads wide of goal. Chance for Saints. Had a free run at the back post.
69' GOAL! Tadic with the finish from 14 yards after Pelle had hit the post. Brilliant, composed finish. Saints lead 1-0 at Old Trafford.
78' CHANCE! Blind with the cross. Clawed away by Forster. Falls to Mata, but he knocks the ball wide with the goal at his mercy. Wasn't easy, but a real chance to bring United level.
79' CHANCE Blind with another superb cross, but Mata this time knocks over the bar from five yards. Glorious chance not taken by United.
KEY STATS
Southampton kept their tenth clean sheet of the season, joint most along with Chelsea in the league, but this is only their third away from home. It is the first time Manchester United failed to score at home in the Premier League this season, the first time since 3 May 2014 (0-1 against Sunderland) they have not done so (11 matches).
OOJ - Southampton vs Manchester United
Southampton leap frog Man United to go to third in the PL table – it is their highest ever position after 21 matches in the PL era; they were last this high in the table after this many matches in 1979/80; third behind Manchester United in second and Liverpool in first.
Manchester United lose for the first time in 10 PL matches, going back to 2 November (0-1 against Manchester City. It is their first home loss since the opening day of the season (1-2 against Swansea).
Southampton record their 500th top flight league win, and their 150th top flight away win.
It is almost 26 years since Southampton last won in the top flight away at Manchester United (2-0, 16 January 1988).
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