London (dpa) - Manchester United moved into the top three for the first time this season after they snatched a 2-1 victory Monday night at Southampton.
Robin van Persie scored both goals as United rode their luck to leapfrog West Ham and Southampton and climb within eight points of leaders Chelsea.
The result was a personal victory for United manager
Louis van Gaal over Southampton's Ronald Koeman, whose side fell to fifth after their third straight defeat.
While Van Persie took both his goals well, the result was harsh on Southampton, who overpowered the United midfield for long periods of the match, something Van Gaal readily admitted.
"We lost the ball too easily in the first half," Van Gaal said.
"The only chances Southampton created were when we lost the ball. That was not good in spite of our good result because we got a present also from Southampton. In the second half we were better. But I think Southampton played better than Manchester United, yet we were the lucky guys."
Holland striker Van Persie put the visitors in front on 12 minutes after a shocking back pass from Jose Fonte, allowing him to slot the ball under Fraser Forster.
Southampton recovered well and equalized when the ball broke to Graziano Pelle in the box on the half-hour mark, and he slammed a shot off the body of David De Gea.
Southampton dominated the second half and looked the more likely to score before Van Persie got on the end of a Wayne Rooney free kick 19 minutes from time to put United ahead again.
The home side searched for an equalizer but were denied by David De Gea in the United goal and eventually went down to defeat.
"We played attacking football and tried to press them," Koeman said.
"We deserved more, but on this level the difference is detail in the game and how you handle it when opponents make mistakes. We had more chances, played better and had more possession. I said to the lads we didn't lose against United, we lost against ourselves."
Robin van Persie scored both goals as United rode their luck to leapfrog West Ham and Southampton and climb within eight points of leaders Chelsea.
The result was a personal victory for United manager
Louis van Gaal over Southampton's Ronald Koeman, whose side fell to fifth after their third straight defeat.
While Van Persie took both his goals well, the result was harsh on Southampton, who overpowered the United midfield for long periods of the match, something Van Gaal readily admitted.
"We lost the ball too easily in the first half," Van Gaal said.
"The only chances Southampton created were when we lost the ball. That was not good in spite of our good result because we got a present also from Southampton. In the second half we were better. But I think Southampton played better than Manchester United, yet we were the lucky guys."
Holland striker Van Persie put the visitors in front on 12 minutes after a shocking back pass from Jose Fonte, allowing him to slot the ball under Fraser Forster.
Southampton recovered well and equalized when the ball broke to Graziano Pelle in the box on the half-hour mark, and he slammed a shot off the body of David De Gea.
Southampton dominated the second half and looked the more likely to score before Van Persie got on the end of a Wayne Rooney free kick 19 minutes from time to put United ahead again.
The home side searched for an equalizer but were denied by David De Gea in the United goal and eventually went down to defeat.
"We played attacking football and tried to press them," Koeman said.
"We deserved more, but on this level the difference is detail in the game and how you handle it when opponents make mistakes. We had more chances, played better and had more possession. I said to the lads we didn't lose against United, we lost against ourselves."
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