Manchester United

3.14

• 
  18

  15

  2.50

  David de Gea

  Michael Carrick was the main culprit for the goal but De Gea did not cover himself in glory. The goalkeeper looked extremely shaky, spilling a number of shots and bringing gasps from the home supporters. Never truly looks comfortable at Old Trafford.

• 
  28

  2

  4.00

  Patrice Evra

  Continues to put in performances to silence his early season detractors and was superb, often reading the game well to set United on the attack. The defender also brilliantly headed Van Persie's free kick back across goal for Rooney's second.

• 
  15

  6

  3.00

  Phil Jones

  By his own admission, right-back is not where Jones is best employed. He did, however, defend well and attempted to get forward as much as possible. Doesn't look the most comfortable in the final third but it isn't his fault that is what's asked of him.

• 
  7

  12

  2.50

  Chris Smalling

  Had a treacherous second half after a first in which he looked decent and substituted before he could do any real damage. They were difficult circumstances, though - he won't come up against many more physical strikers than Rickie Lambert this season.

• 
  27

  1

  3.50

  Nemanja Vidic

  Does the sensible things exceptionally well, which is why United fans feel at ease when Vidic starts at the heart of defence. Subtly talks to his younger compatriots to coach them through the game as well.

• 
  11

  14

  2.50

  Anderson Flop of the Match

  Full of running from the centre of midfield but suffers chronically from a desire to please the home crowd, often caught trying too hard if anything and giving the ball away in poor areas in a bid to start attacks quickly.

• 
  7

  14

  3.00

  Michael Carrick

  His backpass for Jay Rodriguez's goal in the opening moments was appalling but did recover well after that and put in his usual no-thrills but effective performance; careful in possession, but for a fleeting moment in the second half, and positionally aware.

• 
  28

  4

  4.00

  Wayne Rooney Top of the Match

  When put clean through with only the goalkeeper to beat, Rooney rarely misse, and he took his first goal with all the ease of a striker in the rich vein of form in which he finds himself. Was allowed to drift and became incredibly difficult to pick up.

• 
  10

  12

  3.50

  Danny Welbeck

  Starting wide right against an immobile Danny Fox, you perhaps would have expected Welbeck to stretch his legs more than he did. When venturing more centrally, his quick thinking undid Southampton on occasions.

• 
  14

  5

  3.00

  Robin van Persie

  A luxury for Van Persie as he was not the only true outlet for United. He has been the only spark in a few games this year but could afford to let messrs Rooney, Kagawa and Welbeck really damage the Saints.

• 
  49

  1

  4.00

  Shinji Kagawa

  Showed what class he possesses on the ball for the first United goal: a delightful chipped through ball to set Rooney clear. Kagawa floated majestically around the four-pronged attack and his definite incision is important in and around the box.

Substitutions

• 
  13

  1

  3.00

  Rafael

  Has more pace than Phil Jones, hence why he was brought on to counter Adam Lallana, and did so to decent effect.

• 
  7

  4

  2.50

  Rio Ferdinand

  Brought on to shore up the United back four but looked uncomfortable on the ball and off the pace.

• 
  9

  2

  3.00

  Nani

  Should have got at the full-back more but United were on the back foot for the majority of time that he was on the pitch. Supplied Van Persie with a good cross for a missed chance.

Southampton

3.12

• 
  8

  1

  3.00

  Artur Boruc

  Very little that he could have done about the goals and made a couple of very good stops to keep Saints in the game at one point. Spilled one effort but was confident with his handling in general.

• 
  0

  1

  3.50

  Nathaniel Clyne

  Marauds forward without a care in the world and his speed is a real asset, especially away from home. Was unfortunate as not to have the cover from midfield that he deserved in the first half.

• 
  4

  1

  3.00

  Maya Yoshida

  Does look troubled with balls between him and the full-back. Did, however, stay on his feet and wasn't given the runaround that people were expecting, given that he was up against Van Persie.

• 
  0

  3

  3.00

  Jos Hooiveld

  Imperious in the air, winning almost every headed duel and was the go-to man from set pieces for Southampton. Organised well, although may have reacted quicker to Evra's header across goal for United's second.

• 
  0

  1

  2.50

  Daniel Fox

  Susceptible to pace and was lucky not to have been run at more than he was. Stood off his man in the box, scared to make a tackle. Has a good left foot but didn't utilise it.

• 
  0

  1

  3.00

  Morgan Schneiderlin

  Tried to force it in the middle too much when much easier balls were on. Stupidly booked for kicking the ball away end of first half as well, indicating his frustration. Did manage to affect the game positively after the break.

• 
  0

  1

  2.50

  G. Ramírez

  The game - as so often happens away from St Mary's Stadium - passed him by. Likes having time on the ball to dictate proceedings but was not given any peace and was taken off at half-time.

• 
  0

  1

  3.00

  Jack Cork

  Played the percentages very well in midfield, knowing that the players with added flair could hurt United more. Guilty of ball watching for Rooney's second goal but will be pleased with the shift that he put in.

• 
  0

  1

  3.00

  Jason Puncheon

  Perhaps unfairly brought off at half-time, Puncheon provided an inventive touch to the visitors, always trying to pick holes in the United back four and run beyond Rickie Lambert.

• 
  1

  1

  3.50

  Rickie Lambert

  One thing you know that Lambert will give you: a battle. The striker held his own against Vidic and Smalling, often providing Saints with a platform higher up the pitch. Had a couple of decent efforts and on another day might have scored.

• 
  0

  1

  3.50

  Jay Rodriguez

  Proved himself a poacher in the early moments, not giving up on a Carrick back pass and beating De Gea to the ball to score. Asked to play wide, he tracked back and was strong when in possession.

Substitutions

• 
  0

  1

  Luke Shaw

  Dropped to the bench but came on as a second-half substitute.

• 
  0

  1

  3.50

  Steven Davis

  One of the most comfortable players on the ball in the whole division, you know that Davis won't waste anything and will find his men with minimal fuss. That's what Southampton needed and he gave them a foothold in the second half.

• 
  0

  1

  3.50

  Adam Lallana

  Has that bit of magic about him that makes him a wonderful player to watch. Added more energy to Saints after coming on and they always look to Lallana to produce something from nothing.