Southampton

3.19

• 
  31

  59

  2.50

  Kelvin Davis

  Eventually lost out in his battle with Van Persie, after saving the Dutchman's penalty only to concede an unlikely late equaliser and an even more unlikely winner just after. Dodgy passing out put his team at risk too many times.

• 
  40

  35

  3.50

  Daniel Fox

  Never allowed Valencia to build up too much speed and consequently negated what looked like United's best outlet in the first half. A sturdy game that saw him rarely beaten one-on-one or fazed by United's triple attacking substitution.

• 
  30

  39

  2.00

  Jos Hooiveld

  Rush of blood to the head saw him give away the penalty that almost granted United a second equaliser. Dealt well with all that the visitors' presented him until capitulating late on.

• 
  33

  39

  3.50

  Jose Rocha Fonte

  Faced a barrage of movement in front of him and became accustomed to the challenge as time grew on. A massive performance in the heart of the home defence that was unlucky to crumble late on.

• 
  42

  32

  3.00

  Nathaniel Clyne

  The full-back was long linked with a move to United and showed why with an effective performance. Though his slip allowed Van Persie the time to score in the first half, he rendered Welbeck impotent for the whole time the England striker was on the field.

• 
  54

  27

  4.00

  Adam Lallana

  Flashes here and there showed why he is his team's captain. Ghosted in from the right to present United with difficulties that they failed to fully work out in the second half.

• 
  59

  24

  3.50

  Jason Puncheon

  Fantastic technique and ball in for Lambert's goal and was a regular danger out of the left winger. Was inventive going forward but also functional in his team's defensive endeavours.

• 
  33

  28

  3.50

  James Ward-Prowse

  Mature display that belied his years as he came to grips with a midfield battle that he looked sure to lose after the opening 20 minutes. Did a lot of his work in a deeper lying position but drove forward with intent when called upon.

• 
  58

  27

  4.00

  Morgan Schneiderlin

  His doggedness in midfield led to side's opener and throughout he constantly unsettled his opponents. Turned up late in the box at the crucial moment to give his side an unlikely 2-1 lead.

• 
  27

  35

  3.00

  Steven Davis

  Quietly assured in the middle of the park without lighting any fireworks. Will rightly be happy with a day's work that often saw him out-think United's slightly more naive midfielders.

• 
  74

  24

  4.00

  Rickie Lambert

  Cleverly peeled onto Rafael at the back post to power home the game's opener. Was the clear danger man, with a shrewd and wily performance. Turned creator for his side's second goal, capping off a display brimming with variety.

Substitutions

• 
  24

  34

  2.50

  Guilherme Do Prado

  Brought on as fresh legs but saw the tide turn against his team after his introduction.

• 
  24

  32

  2.50

  Jay Rodriguez

  Much the same as his fellow substitution. After being brought on, his side were robbed of their momentum.

Manchester United

2.82

• 
  105

  85

  3.00

  Anders Lindegaard

  Given a rare start after David De Gea was dropped to the bench but found himself let down by his full-backs and their respective back-post slips which led to Saints goals. Made a sharp stop to deny Puncheon further extending the lead.

• 
  118

  148

  2.00

  Rafael Flop of the Match

  Was the clear target of Nigel Adkins' ploy to isolate United's full-backs with crosses into the far post and was consequently towered over by Rickie Lambert for the opener. Got forward with drive whenever possible, but question marks still remain over the defensive side of his game.

• 
  67

  131

  2.50

  Patrice Evra

  A good deal of the Saints threat came down his side and though he never looked like being beaten one-on-one his slip at the far post for Schneiderlin's goal should have been costly.

• 
  131

  51

  3.00

  Rio Ferdinand

  First start of the season and defended in his typically relaxed style. However, the physicality of Lambert and movement of Lallana and Puncheon caused him all manner of difficulties. Late header that came off the post into the path of Van Persie for the second equaliser proved decisive.

• 
  114

  73

  2.50

  Nemanja Vidic

  Looked unsettled by the aggressive approach adopted by Lambert and too often gave away fouls when it simply wasn't necessary. The defensive stability supposed to be brought about by his pairing with Ferdinand was desperately absent.

• 
  156

  58

  2.50

  Antonio Valencia

  Despite providing his side with out-and-out width that looked their most threatening outlet, the winger never saw enough of the ball to be a constant menace.

• 
  101

  85

  2.50

  Michael Carrick

  Was content to sit deep and feed the ball to the array of attacking midfielders ahead of him yet waned in influence as Southampton pressed higher up the pitch in the second half.

• 
  85

  121

  2.00

  Tom Cleverley

  Really struggled to impose himself on the game as the opposition fully turned the tables on United's early midfield domination. Anonymous in the second half.

• 
  75

  138

  2.50

  Danny Welbeck

  Looked isolated out on left in first half, often coming infield to hunt for the ball with little success. Scant opportunity to run in behind the opposition defence robbed him of his effectiveness

• 
  371

  83

  5.00

  Robin van Persie Top of the Match

  Turned from villain to hero in around 20 minutes after it looked as if his overly-confident penalty had robbed his side of their chance to get back into the game. However, a match winning hat-trick proved that the striker is the world class finisher that United need.

• 
  203

  85

  3.00

  Shinji Kagawa

  Often got himself into promising positions and worked intelligently off the ball but found genuine incision hard to come by as his side pushed forward.

Substitutions

• 
  197

  49

  3.00

  Nani

  Helped shift the impetus to United after his introduction.

• 
  286

  29

  3.50

  Paul Scholes

  Almost slotted Van Persie in the second after being brought on and calmed the side down with his presence.

• 
  204

  48

  2.50

  Chicharito

  Had little opportunity to effect the game in the way he wanted as Van Persie stole the show