Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for a mouth-watering Monday night fixture at St Mary's as Southampton host Manchester United in a top-five clash. These two teams come into the game having suffered contrasting fortunes of late, so it will be interesting to see whether this one goes with the form book. Let's start with a look at the home side...

It was all going so well for Southampton until they came up against a recent tough run of fixtures, and things won't be any easier for them this evening. They come into this match having now lost two on the bounce and failed to pick up a win in three matches, both of which had not happened under Ronald Koeman before this current run.

There is a sense that the wheels may be starting to come off a little for the Saints, but they will still be delighted with their campaign so far. There were some predicting them to be battling against relegation this season having lost so many key players during the summer, in addition to their manager, but Koeman has done a brilliant job at the helm so far, and the replacements for the likes of Lambert, Lallana and Shaw have also settled in very quickly.

As a result, they now sit fourth in the table despite having picked up just one point from the last nine available. Whether they can sustain a challenge for the top four and an unlikely Champions League place remains to be seen, but if that is to be a realistic goal then Koeman will want to stop the rot sooner rather than later. December is arguably the most important month of the season due to the packed fixture schedule, and the Saints can't really afford a bad one if they are to challenge for Europe - even with their tremendous start.

Tonight's match could well tell us a lot about how realistic Southampton's push for the top four is this season - not only because it comes against a side just below them in the table, but also due to their record against the traditional big boys so far. The Saints have struggled in matches against teams expected to be in and around the top four come May, with their only defeats this season coming at the hands of Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Manchester City. United certainly fall into that same category, so Koeman will be keen to show that his side can perform against teams of that calibre.

Their statistics at least suggest that they should pose a big test for United. Despite their recent slump in form, Southampton still boast the best defensive record in the division having conceded just 10 times in their 14 outings so far. They have kept no fewer than seven clean sheets and, before their 3-0 defeat to Manchester City here last weekend, had only conceded once in front of their own fans.

Things aren't much worse at the other end of the field, with only the league's top three having scored more goals than the Saints this season. They have all played a game more than Ronald Koeman's men too, so that record could change by the end of tonight. They have, however, only managed one goal in their three-match winless streak and have drawn blanks in their last two matches.

Their last outing here at St Mary's was a disappointing one as 10-man Manchester City cruised to a 3-0 victory to leapfrog them in the table, but overall they have a very strong home record this season. That was their first defeat of the campaign in front of their own fans, while they have only failed to win one of their other six home games. Even more impressively, they have kept five clean sheets in their seven games at St Mary's, and only league leaders Chelsea have a better defensive record at home than that.

Things certainly won't be straightforward for United tonight, then, but confidence will be high amongst the Red Devils, which is not something you will have been able to say too often over the past couple of seasons. They are beginning to find their rhythm under Louis van Gaal and, like Southampton, would climb up to third in the table with a victory this evening. Plenty of incentive for both sides, then.

To move into third would be a big achievement for United considering their injury problems this season. They have had more than 40 injuries already, many of which have come to key players. Louis van Gaal is unlikely to have been able to put out his best XI at the club yet so, if they can stay in and around the top four until they get a little closer to a fully fit squad then they will be strong favourites to make an immediate return to the Champions League places come May. You'd have to think that they would get a bit more luck when it comes to injuries over the second half of the season at least.

Perhaps the area of the field most affected by the injury crisis has been in defence, where Van Gaal didn't really strengthen enough during the summer anyway. Despite that, only three teams have a better defensive record than United this season. They have conceded 16 goals in their 14 matches which, while not exactly being watertight, is very impressive considering the problems they have had. They will surely strengthen at the back in January too, so they could well go on to post one of the best defensive records in the league this season.

They were forced into some last-ditch defending in their most recent outing, however, and Van Gaal will know that his side were fortunate to escape from their victory over Stoke City with all three points. Over the whole match there is little doubt that United deserved the win having been in control for 92 of the 94 minutes played, but Stoke besieged De Gea's goal in the closing stages and missed three glorious chances to get something out of the match.

That victory was a fourth in a row for United, the first time that they have managed that this calendar year. Incidentally, they have not won five on the bounce since the days of Sir Alex Ferguson, and that is a target they would reach with another win tonight. Van Gaal has repeatedly stressed that this first season will be a rebuilding one, but five consecutive victories would certainly show that he is moving in the right direction.

One concern for Van Gaal all seaso has been his side's inability to dominate matches for the full 90 minutes, often allowing sides the chances to get something out of the match. Stoke almost capitalised on it last time out and, while United have only lost one of their last nine games now, the 3-0 victory over Hull City remains the only match that Van Gaal has been completely satisfied with so far. Killing teams off once and for all has been a bit of a problem for United, which is a surprise considering the attacking talent at their disposal.

Perhaps the biggest worry so far will be their away form, though. The Red Devils were impressive on their travels under David Moyes, but that form has been reversed so far this season, with Van Gaal faring very well at home but not great on the road. There were signs of that improving with their 2-1 victory over Arsenal in their most recent away game, but they have still only amassed six points on the road this season. Only four teams have managed fewer.

TEAM NEWS: The teams are in for both sides, and the headline is that Wayne Rooney returns as expected for United having missed the Stoke match through injury. He replaces Wilson, with Falcao once again left on the bench, while Herrera is also dropped to the bench and replaced by McNair, who presence allows Young to move into midfield. Southampton, meanwhile, have been forced into a couple of changes of their own as Mane and Yoshida replace Cork and Alderweireld. Full teams for both sides coming right up...

SOUTHAMPTON STARTING XI: Forster; Clyne, Fonte, Yoshida, Bertrand; Wanyama, S. Davis, Tadic; Mane, Long, Pelle

SOUTHAMPTON SUBS: K. Davis, Gardos, Mayuka, Isgrove, Reed, Targett, Hesketh

MAN UTD STARTING XI: De Gea; McNair, Smalling, Rojo, Valencia; Carrick, Fellaini, Young, Mata; Rooney, Van Persie

MAN UTD SUBS: Lindegaard, Evans, Herrera, Fletcher, Januzaj, Wilson, Falcao

What can we make of those two teams, then? Well, Southampton's two changes are not ones that Koeman will have wanted to make, with Cork and Alderweireld both picking up injuries against Arsenal. Alderweireld's is not as serious as Cork's but his absence may well have played a big part in Arsenal getting the late goal to beat the Saints last time out. Koeman had already made his three subs, so Southampton had to finish the match with just 10 men, and Alexis Sanchez took full advantage with a tap-in from close range. Maya Yoshida is the man who comes in to replace him in a defence that has been so impressive this season.

In midfield, the Saints are still without Morgan Schneiderlin, which is a big blow considering his fine form so far this season. They are boosted by the inclusion of Tadic, however, as the playmaker had been a doubt having picked up a knock against Arsenal. He has been one of his side's most creative players this season, and United will have to be wary of him feeding passes through to the trio in front of him this evening.

Up front, the main dangerman for Southampton is Pelle, although the Italian striker has gone off the boil a little in recent weeks following his brilliant start to like in English football. He is now without a goal in his last five games having scored nine in his first 12 games for the club. Mane returns to the side in place of the injured Cork, while Long makes up the attacking trio.

As with many attacks this season, that Southampton front three will fancy their chances up against another makeshift United back four. Paddy McNair is included this evening as Young moves forward into a more familiar midfield role, but otherwise it is the same back four that started the match against Stoke and actually kept the Potters quiet for long periods. Smalling and Rojo is certainly a more recognisable centre-back partnership than United have been forced to field at times this season, and with Evans on the bench, things are beginning to look a little more positive at the back for Van Gaal.

Herrera is the man to make way in midfield, which will likely see Mata return to the number 10 role that the benched summer signing has occupied in recent matches. Van Gaal is once again expected to employ a diamond formation in midfield, and the tactic of playing high crosses to Fellaini at the back post is one that Southampton will need to be wary of. It worked against Stoke as the Belgian got his first Old Trafford goal for the club, and is he can isolate Bertrand in an aerial battle then there is only going to be one winner.

Up front, there is a return for Rooney following his absence from the Stoke game, and the skipper will be keen to pick up where he left off before his short layoff. He has been in fine form this season and could be the key to his side winning the game tonight, especially considering his fine recent record against Southampton. The England captain has netted five times in five Premier League games against the Saints.

There was speculation as to who would partner Rooney up front tonight, but as expected it is Van Persie once again, with Wilson dropping to the bench. Van Persie has been far short of his best so far this season and was anonymous for long spells against Stoke, but he still poses more of a threat than Wilson, while Falcao continues to struggle with match fitness and has been forced to settle for substitute appearances recently.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff at St Mary's which means that it is time for a prediction! This is a tough one to call tonight, with both sides in contrasting form. The hosts have a very strong home record compared to United's shaky away form, but there is a growing confidence around the Red Devils that suggests that they will fancy themselves here. I don't think they will come away with all three points, but a draw is certainly feasible. I will go for 1-1.

We couldn't separate the two sides on the Sports Mole sofa this week, both plumping for a draw in what is sure to be an intriguing match. You can see what we had to say in our video preview below:

United certainly boast the better recent history in this fixture, winning eight and losing none of their last 10 Premier League meetings. Both of those draws came last season, while the Saints haven't beaten United since James Beattie scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 victory in August 2003. Incidentally, Southampton have scored the first goal in four of their last five meetings with United, but have gone on to lose three of them.

There is history on the touchlines too, with Louis van Gaal and Ronald Koeman old enemies from their time in Holland. Their relationship goes back to when Koeman was Van Gaal's assistant at Barcelona, but the pair fell out at Ajax when Van Gaal interfered with manager Koeman's team having been appointed as technical director. Van Gaal went on to describe Koeman as weak in his autobiography, so there will be no love lost between the duo tonight.

We're just a couple of minutes away from kickoff now, but let me quickly drag your attention away from the Premier League and to the FA Cup, with the draw for the third round having taken place tonight. Southampton will host in-form Championship outfit Ipswich at St Mary's, while United face an easy task on paper as they travel to take on either Accrington Stanley or Yeovil Town.

KICKOFF: Rooney and Van Persie get us underway in a match that will see the winners move up to third in the table. Will either side grab the opportunity tonight?

We thought that United may have lined up with a diamond as has been the case recently, but that isn't the case tonight. Instead, Van Gaal has gone for a back three, with Young and Valencia acting as the wing-backs.

SHOT! I mentioned before the game that United may try the tactic of picking out Fellaini in the air at the back post, but it is Southampton who employ that here. Bertrand whips his delivery into the box for Long, who rises higher than Young and loops a header onto the roof of the net.

Southampton have made a positive start to this match, and the recent slump in form doesn't appear to have dented their confidence too much in these opening exchanges.

United, meanwhile, have struggled to keep hold of the ball so far, often being forced into hoofing aimless long passes forward that Van Persie and Rooney have not been able to make anything of.

Southampton deserve credit for United's inability to keep hold of the ball so far. The hosts have pressed really well in this opening 10 minutes, not allowing the visitors any time in possession and often stealing the ball and launching a quick break.

Southampton have made the more assured start to this match, but they fall behind here courtesy of a gift from Fonte. Rooney puts pressure on the defender, who plays a blind pass back towards Forster. He gets nowhere near enough on it and Van Persie pounces on the loose ball before poking his effort past the Southampton keeper.

What a huge blow that is for Southampton. They would have been content with their start to this match, but suddenly an individual error has gifted United control of the game. How can they respond?

CHANCE! Well, they almost come up with an immediate response through Pelle. The Italian pulls away from Smalling and makes a run to the front post, where he gets on the end of a corner. It is a free header, but he gets too much on it and plants his effort off target.

United just can't catch a break in terms of injuries at the moment. Smalling goes down with no-one near him and immediately signals to the bench that he will not be able to continue. He limps off, and Evans will be his replacement at the next stoppage in play.

MAN UTD SUB: There is the change as Evans comes on for Smalling, making his return from an injury of his own. It looks like a groin problem for Smalling, incidentally.

Southampton come forward dangerously here, but Young does really well to deal with a Tadic through-ball before bringing it out of defence and taking the pressure back off his side. He is starting to look comfortable in his defensive role.

Incidentally, this is the first match in Premier League history that has seen two Dutch managers go up against each other. Much was made of the relationship between the bosses today, but they still took part in the customary pre-match handshake. It wasn't quite all smiles between the pair, though.

Poor from Rojo as he takes his eye off the ball and concedes a needless free kick in a decent position for Southampton. The visitors have already benefitted from one defensive lapse today, so they won't want to cancel that out with one of their own.

CHANCE! That is almost exactly what happens here! McNair gifts the ball to Mane, who gleefully accepts it and races towards the edge of the box. He lines up a shot but they tricks his way closer to goal before finally being crowded out. He should have gone for goal earlier there!

Another good break from Southampton comes to a disappointing end. Pelle played a lovely first-time pass round the corner for Tadic, but the playmaker puts far too much on his own through-ball when it was a fairly simple pass. That piece of quality in the final third has just been lacking for the hosts so far.

SAVE! De Gea is called into action for the first time tonight as Southampton finally work a good attacking platform well. Pelle picks the ball up inside the box and squeezes a decent shot towards the near post, but the keeper is down well to make a fairly comfortable stop.

Southampton are certainly on top right now. They are playing some good football and look dangerous every time they come forward, but they simply haven't been ruthless enough with the end product. They will still fancy their chances of getting an equaliser before the break the way things are going, though.

There is the equaliser! Fellaini is initially at fault as he gives the ball away just inside his own half with a poor square pass. Davis drives straight at the United defence before sliding a pass out wide right. The ball eventually arrives back into the middle and Tadic's blocked effort falls to Pelle, who lashes his effort in via the underside of the bar from close range. His goal drought is over!

That equaliser is no more than Southampton deserve. They have had the better of the match so far, and only Fonte's error is preventing them from being in the lead right now. United just haven't got going yet.

CHANCE! The hosts almost get a quick-fire second to take the lead! Again it is a cross from the right that causes the problems, with Mane beaten McNair to the ball inside the box and going down under the challenge. The loose ball drops to Long at the back post, but he rushes his effort and puts it over the top when he should have done better.

A little better from United in the last few moments. They have been on the back foot for a while now, but they have got themselves on the ball in the last couple of minutes and slowed things down having weathered a storm from the hosts.

MAN UTD SUB: This is very interesting. Van Gaal clearly feels that his back three is not working, so he brings McNair off to be replaced by Herrera. That should see a return to the formation of the last few games, but it is a slap in the face for McNair. United, meanwhile, have just one change left.

The hosts just look like they want this one more at the moment. Fellaini in particular has been poor in possession for United, giving the ball away on a number of occasions, including in the build-up for the equalising goal.

I thought that Herrera's introduction would be in order to bring a diamond into the midfield, but instead Carrick has simply dropped into the back three. It was a change of personnel rather than a change of system, which will be even harder for McNair to take.

Half a chance for Southampton, and not for the first time tonight it originates down the visitor's left flank. Clyne hoists a high ball into the middle that Mane attacks really well, but Valencia just about does enough to prevent the winger from getting a clean connection.

There will be a minimum of two minutes added time at the end of this first half.

CLOSE! Having failed to create anything of their own in this first half so far, United almost regain the lead just before half time. Rooney and Herrera combine nicely just outside the Southampton area before Van Persie picks up the ball and lashes a vicious effort towards goal that slams into the side-netting.

Kevin Friend brings an end to the first half, and it was a fairly one-sided opening 45 minutes despite the scores being level at the break. Southampton have had by far the better of the game so far, but United are still very much in it having avoided falling behind despite being on the back foot.

It was the visitors who took the lead courtesy of a terrible mistake from Southampton skipper Fonte. He played a poor back-pass towards Forster, failing to put enough on it and not checking around for danger. Van Persie was lurking and raced on to the loose ball before poking his effort past the Southampton keeper from a tight angle. It really was a gift from the Saints, but they responded well.

It was Pelle who levelled things up, ending his recent goal drought with an opportunistic finish inside the box. The ball bounced his way after Tadic had seen his shot blocked, and the Italian lashed it in off the underside of the crossbar. It was poor from Fellaini in the build-up as he gifted possession, but the likes of Mata and Carrick also had chances to stop the attack before it got to the final third.

The Saints have threatened on a few other occasions, with Pelle testing De Gea and Long firing a good chance off target at the back post. They have pressed very well off the ball and looked tidy in possession, while United have been anything but. If you didn't know the recent results before this match, you'd think that Southampton had won four in a row and United had lost their last two. The visitors really have been poor, and they are lucky to still be in this one.

United did come close to regaining the lead just before half time, but it would not have been deserved. Van Persie lashed an effort into the side-netting with what was United's second shot of the evening so far. It was the first time that they had created an opportunity of their own, with their previous one being the gift from Fonte. They simply must improve in the second half or this match is only going to go one way.

Van Gaal was clearly unhappy with his side's performance and took McNair off in the first half after the youngster had made a couple of errors in quick succession. Smalling was also forced off with an injury in the opening 45 minutes, so Van Gaal only has one change left to use in the second half.

KICKOFF: The hosts get us back underway for this second half as they look to pick up where they left off at St Mary's. Can they make a return to winning ways, or will we see an improvement from the visitors?

CHANCE! Early chance for Southampton, but it falls to the wrong man. Tadic plays a clever little pass into the box for Yoshida, who slaloms his way past one defender but is then tackled by Evans before he can get his shot away.

The early signs in this second half aren't great for United fans. The match has quickly fallen into a similar rhythm to the first half, and United don't look like they have come out having received the hairdryer treatment from Van Gaal at the break.

Mane has been a real livewire for the Saints today. Not everything he has tried has come off, but he is never afraid to collect the ball and run at the United defence, who have struggled to deal with him at times.

CHANCE! Huge chance for Southampton to take the lead! They win the ball back in midfielder and break quickly, with Tadic swinging a fine cross to an unmarked Long at the back post. The attacker gets a good connection on his header, but plants it straight at De Gea, who makes the save. He really should have scored there!

Southampton really should be ahead in this match, and they will want to make the most of their dominance sooner rather than later. As long as it remains level, United still stand a very real chance of nicking a winner here, and that would be very unfair on the hosts on the evidence of the opening 54 minutes.

Better from United in the past few minutes. They have not kept the ball well at all this evening, but when they have been able to string a few passes together they have looked capable of causing Southampton some problems.

Poor from Mane on this occasion as he leads a counter-attack forward, with Pelle and Long in support. However, the winger tries a through-ball that is never on and gifts possession away.

CHANCE! Again United give the ball away in a dangerous position, and once more they are almost punished. Rojo is the guilty party this time around, with Pelle and Tadic combining to make the most of the mistake. The latter slides a through-ball behind the defence for his striker, who fires a powerful effort narrowly over the top.

United threaten at the other end as Young swings a testing cross into the box. Fonte is there to make an important interception, however, looping a defensive header onto the roof of his own net. The resulting corner is one of the worst you will see from Rooney.

More good play from Southampton as Pelle flicks a header on to Mane, who races in behind the defence before playing a dangerous low ball across the six-yard box. It is cut out before it reaches Long at the back post, but soon arrives back into the box and Pelle glances his header wide.

Pelle has looked back to his former self at times tonight, linking up play well and really troubling a shaky United defence. Here he is celebrating the end of his goal drought with his teammates:

There are just under 25 minutes remaining in this match now, but still Southampton haven't found that elusive second goal. They will kick themselves if they don't win this match having played so much better than United, but time is beginning to run out for the hosts.

United have just taken the sting out of the game in the last five minutes or so, which they needed to do given the way this game was going. They have still offered very little going forward themselves, but they are at least dealing with Southampton's pressing tactics a little better right now.

SOUTHAMPTON SUB: The hosts make their first change of the evening, and it is a surprising one as Tadic goes off to be replaced by Jake Hesketh, who makes his debut.

Oh, what a sickening blow that is for Southampton! Against the run of play, United regain the lead, and it is Van Persie again who doubles his personal tally. Rooney swings a free kick in from deep towards the far post, where the Dutch striker gets away from his man and squeezes a volley goalwards. It is a rather tame effort, but the proximity means that Forster can;t react in time as the ball goes through his legs and in.

Perhaps I didn't give Van Persie enough credit for that finish having seen a replay. It was a clever volley from the Dutch striker, who clipped it goalwards with the outside of his left foot. It was just about all he could do in that position, and he did brilliantly to finish what was a tough chance.

Can Southampton respond in this final 15 minutes now? They have been by far the better team this evening but were unable to kill United off when they were on top, and they have paid the price now. They still have time to rescue this one, but they need to find a goal soon.

CHANCE! Brilliant work from Long as he chases all the way back to win the ball having initially given it away. He begins a counter with a pass to Mane, who slides a clever ball down the left channel for Pelle. The striker fires it towards the far corner, but De Gea gets down quickly to make a very good save.

SOUTHAMPTON SUB: Long's evening is over as he is replaced by Emmanuel Mayuka for the final 10 minutes or so.

Van Persie has been a peripheral figure for the vast majority of this match, but as things stand he is the difference between the two sides. Here he is tucking away his second of the evening:

Fellaini feels that he is tripped by Pelle in midfield and so picks the ball up, but Kevin Friend then awards a free kick to Southampton for handball. That gives Southampton the opportunity to put the ball into the box, but Fellaini atones for his error to clear the danger.

CLOSE! The hosts are close to levelling things up through Clyne as he picks the ball up around 25 yards from goal before drilling a low effort narrowly past the post. De Gea looked to have it covered, but it was a decent effort from the right-back.

SHOT! This time it is the opposition full-back Bertrand who goes for goal from outside the box, drilling a first-time effort towards goal following some nice build-up play by the hosts. However, his effort deflects just off target.

MAN UTD SUB: A third and final change for the visitors as Mata goes off to be replaced by Darren Fletcher for the final couple of minutes.

YELLOW CARD! The first yellow card of the match comes late on, and it is a terrible challenge from Mane as he dives in on Van Persie. There are some calls for a red, and you can see why, but a yellow is probably just about right.

There will be a minimum of four minutes stoppage time at the end of this match.

YELLOW CARD! Rooney joins Mane in the book having said a little too much to Kevin Friend. The United skipper was unhappy that he wasn't awarded a free kick, and he had a point in fairness.

United do manage to hang on to claim a fifth consecutive victory for the first time since the Sir Alex Ferguson era, but they can consider themselves lucky to have come away with all three points this evening. They were second best for much of the match and didn't look like a side on such a good run of form, but they still managed to come away with a win that sees them climb up to third in the table. Southampton, meanwhile, will be wondering just how them have lost this one.

United broke the deadlock courtesy of a poor back-pass from Fonte that allowed Van Persie through on goal, and the Dutchman made no mistake to poke the ball past Forster in the 12th minute. The Saints responded well, however, and were level shortly after the half-hour mark when Pelle lashed home a loose ball inside the area. Van Persie proved to be the match winner with his second of the night, however, flicking a volley through the legs of Forster against the run of play with 20 minutes remaining.

Right, that is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what was an entertaining match at St Mary's as Manchester United move up to third in the table with a 2-1 victory over Southampton. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, analysis and player ratings. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!