1. Van Persie wins a tactical battle
The first-ever Premier League meeting between two Dutch managers was
inevitably an interesting tactical battle, with Louis van Gaal desperate
to outwit Ronald Koeman, who had served beneath him at both Barcelona
and Ajax. It was another Dutchman, however, who had the last laugh.
Van Gaal reverted to a three-man defence, with Marcos Rojo and Paddy
McNair flanking Chris Smalling, who lasted only 18 minutes before
departing through (yet another Manchester United defensive) injury,
replaced by Jonny Evans.
Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young pushed on as wing-backs, but the
two Southampton wide forwards, Sadio Mane and Shane Long, showed no
interest in tracking them, and stayed in narrower, more advanced
positions where they could counter-attack.
It made for an open game: United's wing-backs were in oceans of space
when they had the ball, but Southampton were in a good position to
start breaks. Another difference was in terms of pressing, a concept
practically invented by the Dutch. United made little effort to close
down high up the pitch, letting Southampton play out while the hosts got
tight in midfield, with Victor Wanyama and Steven Davis trying winning
the ball quickly and capitalising on stray passes.
It's difficult to remember much Van Persie did aside from scoring two goals -- United only had
three shots
in total -- but that's the mark of a clinical striker. United went
ahead through a terrible defensive mistake: Jose Fonte's backpass was
badly underhit, although Fraser Forster probably could have read the
situation quicker and time stood still as he dallied as Van Persie raced
onto the ball.
Forster wouldn't have been able to intercept the accidental
through-ball but he could have narrowed the angle better. Either way,
the Dutchman's finish was extremely cool.
His second was better; again, extremely simple, but majestically
taken. Wayne Rooney's whipped, inswinging free-kick found him at the far
post and he prodded the ball confidently between Forster's legs with
the outside of his trusty left foot, to give United a somewhat
surprising victory.
Van Persie's goals were reminiscent of his double strike in a 2-1
victory at Liverpool in his final season at Arsenal. That day, Arsene
Wenger's side were battered throughout but his brilliance snatched a
victory that barely seemed deserved considering the balance of play.
He did that frequently in his final campaign at the Emirates to haul
an otherwise unimpressive side into third place and, despite poor recent
form, that's his task for this season, too.
2. More defensive issues for United
United's first-half performance was reminiscent of their recent
display in the 2-1 victory at the Emirates, where they were outplayed
for the opening 25 minutes, relied on David De Gea to remain in the game
and then counter-attacked well in the second half following a switch to
a four-man backline.
At St. Mary's, with a back three, they again looked completely
uncomfortable. Problems with injury persist and Van Gaal continues to be
unable to count upon reliable partnerships at the back.
Losing Smalling was a big blow, and Van Gaal's subsequent decision to
remove McNair just before half-time was understandable after the
youngster endured a difficult game, which culminated with him hooking
the ball to Shane Long in a dangerous goalscoring position.
Amazingly, the players appeared to have no idea what this
substitution meant, with Michael Carrick frantically screaming at
Herrera and the bench with his arms outstretched, asking whether he was
supposed to continue in midfield, or at the back.
It turned out to be the latter -- United kept the 3-1-4-2 shape --
but it's amazing that such poor communication can happen at this level
and summarises their all-round problems with Van Gaal's approach. United
are still completely unable to defend in a variety of situations, and
the three-man defence doesn't seem to be solving anything.
Theoretically the alignment provides spare men at centre-back, yet
the players showed no understanding of their positional
responsibilities. Graziano Pelle bullied with his strength, while Dusan
Tadic was able to peel off Carrick and race in behind, completely
exposing the flat backline with one simple run.
United's defence is still very much a work in progress, and things
haven't improved much at the back since the start of the season.
3. Brave Saints lack cutting edge
United aren't the only ones suffering from significant injury
problems. Southampton were troubled in midfield without Morgan
Schneiderlin and Jack Cork, plus Toby Alderweireld, who moved into that
position against both Manchester City and Arsenal. Jay Rodriguez,
meanwhile, is a long-term absentee.
The midfield shortage forced Koeman to change his system slightly.
Usually he likes to play with three standard central midfielders and
three forwards, an approach that changed in the recent 1-1 draw against
Aston Villa, when two midfielders played behind a front four.
Koeman admitted that was a tactic to expose a makeshift Villa
defence, but it didn't work and there was no link between midfield and
attack with Shane Long as a second striker. The Saints manager changed
that in the second half against Villa, instead putting Tadic centrally.
It was better, and that's how Southampton started here.
Tadic was responsible for much of his side's good play in that No. 10
role, floating between the lines and then charging in behind
dangerously. His dribbling is less obvious in central positions but his
clever, floated balls into the box caused plenty of problems.
It was his shot that deflected through to Pelle for the equaliser and
in the second half he really took command. His floated cross to the far
post found Long, who should have done better than heading straight at
De Gea, then his ball into Pelle prompted an overhead kick for the
Italian, and a half-hearted shout for handball.
Tadic's substitution with 20 minutes remaining was a real surprise
and Southampton lost their creative spark. They had the chances to win
this game, but lacked a clinical edge.
Last season they were outplayed by top teams. This campaign they
compete well but find themselves unable to capitalise upon their best
periods. It's more encouraging for Saints fans, but also more
frustrating.
CARSON, Calif. — Just as former teammate David Beckham did, Landon Donovan closed out his Major League Soccer career with a trophy in his hands. 
