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Robin van Persie has had a sly dig at former Manchester United manager David Moyes by saying that the win against Southampton "felt like the old days".
United managed a 2-1 win at St Mary's despite recording just three shots in the match compared to 15 for the home side; the win left the club in third place, their highest position in the Premier League since August 2013.
The Dutch striker scored twice, pouncing on an errant back pass by Saints skipper Jose Fonte and turning in a Wayne Rooney free-kick in the second-half.
Van Persie struggled hugely under David Moyes last season and aimed a dig at the Scottish manager, now at Real Sociedad, as well as thanking the fans who travelled to the South Coast.
Show all 25 1 /25Southampton 1 Manchester United 2 player ratings Southampton 1 Manchester United 2 player ratings Fraser Forster Nutmegged by Van Persie's opener and didn't take charge of his box as the Dutchman snuck in for his second. Two shots on target, two goals. 5
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Southampton 1 Manchester United 2 player ratings Nathaniel Clyne Continued his impressive form and wouldn't let Ashley Young through. Strong performance against a team he has been linked with and sent a rasping effort just wide in final minutes. 7
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Southampton 1 Manchester United 2 player ratings Jose Fonte His blind backpass played Van Persie in for the opener to undo an impressive start from Southampton. Recovered thereafter, thwarting several United attempts down the left. 5
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Southampton 1 Manchester United 2 player ratings Maya Yoshida Marshalled RVP well in the first half and otherwise remained composed during rare United attacks. Will be disappointed RVP was allowed in so easily for the winner. 6
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Southampton 1 Manchester United 2 player ratings Ryan Bertrand Showed willingness to get forward and defensively he never once let Antonio Valencia past. Will wonder how he ended up on the losing side. 7
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Southampton 1 Manchester United 2 player ratings Steven Davies Wanyama stayed deep to allow Davis to get forward. Picked up a sloppy pass in the centre of the park and drove at the United penalty box in the build-up to Southampton's equaliser. 7
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Southampton 1 Manchester United 2 player ratings Victor Wanyama Had the better of Marouane Fellaini all evening and rarely misplaced a pass. Seemed to give up following Van Persie's run as he scored United's second. 6
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Southampton 1 Manchester United 2 player ratings Shane Long Comfortable in possession and his cross led to the equaliser, but blazed over when well-placed before the break and missed a better chance with his head in the second period. 6
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Southampton 1 Manchester United 2 player ratings Dusan Tadic Fluffed an easy chance to roll Shane Long in as Saints sought a first-half equaliser, but linked well with Pelle all night and showed good footwork before being substituted at 1-1. 7
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Southampton 1 Manchester United 2 player ratings Sadio Mane Did well to snatch the ball from McNair and burst forward in the first period but ran down a dead end. Full of energy but always capable of a wayward pass. Booked. 6
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Southampton 1 Manchester United 2 player ratings Graziano Pelle In the right place at the right time as Shane Long's deflected cross fell to his feet and he smashed in the equaliser. On the end of every high ball forward and kept finding space in the final third. 7
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Southampton 1 Manchester United 2 player ratings Best off the bench: Jake Hesketh Came on with scores level but didn't get a touch before Saints fell behind. Slotted well into three behind Pelle but couldn't force an equaliser. 6
Southampton 1 Manchester United 2 player ratings David De Gea Little the Spaniard could do for Pelle's well struck goal. Made an excellent low stop to his left from the Southampton goalscorer late in the match. 6
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Southampton 1 Manchester United 2 player ratings Paddy McNair Gave the ball away in a central position, nearly leading to an opening for Mane. Also managed to make a shocking clearance that led to a chance for Long before he was replaced by Ander Herrera prior to the whistle going for the end of the first half. 3
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Southampton 1 Manchester United 2 player ratings Chris Smalling Managed to display some slack marking during a corner before going off injured early in the game. N/A
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Southampton 1 Manchester United 2 player ratings Marcos Rojo Gave the ball away whilst trying to dribble out from the back on more than one occasion. Looked a liability throughout with his desire to tackle high up the pitch. 4
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Southampton 1 Manchester United 2 player ratings Antonio Valencia Made little progress down the wing in the first period but saw a little more of it in the second period. Was always happy to stick in a challenge. 5
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Southampton 1 Manchester United 2 player ratings Marouane Fellaini Gave the ball away in midfield, leading to Southampton's first goal. That wasn't his only wayward pass. At least he showed desire to get on the ball. 5
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Southampton 1 Manchester United 2 player ratings Michael Carrick Forced to retreat to a defensive position when Van Gaal opted to take McNair off. Understandably, didn't always look comfortable. 5
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Southampton 1 Manchester United 2 player ratings Ashley Young Out-jumped at the back-post early on which was a worrying sign. However the winger grew as the game went on, covering for his defence and making a vital clearance. Going forward he put in a couple of dangerous crosses. 7
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Southampton 1 Manchester United 2 player ratings Juan Mata Had little influence before the break but did see a little more of it during the second. The Spaniard was unable to make a telling contribution though before being replaced by Darren Fletcher for the last couple of minutes. 5
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Southampton 1 Manchester United 2 player ratings Wayne Rooney Calming influence when United were under pressure in the first half. The England captain cut in from the left on a regular basis with some joy. Delivered the free-kick for Van Persie's second. 7
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Southampton 1 Manchester United 2 player ratings Robin van Persie Was alert to take advantage of Fonte's error to score the opening goal before seeing a rasping shot from outside the box went go just wide before the first half was out. Did well to squeeze in his second from a tight angle with a deft touch with the outside of the boot. 8
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Southampton 1 Manchester United 2 player ratings Best off the bench: Jonny Evans Replaced Chris Smalling early on. Out-muscled and panicky at times. Poor clearance led to an excellent Saints chance. 4
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Southampton 1 Manchester United 2 player ratings Best off the bench: Ander Herrera Came on for Paddy McNair just before half-time. Was fortunate his shocking first touch didn't lead to a Southampton opening. Minor contribution. 5
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"They (the supporters) were unbelievable. I just want to say that it felt like the old days, like two years ago. It was a really special day, and they were unbelievable," Van Persie told MUTV .
"I want to thank them because I know they've been travelling from all over England, maybe some from abroad.
"It's a long journey. Thanks everyone for coming. You are absolutely amazing."
Having fired United to the title in 2012-13, scoring 26 goals while playing every Premier League game in Sir Alex Ferguson's final season in charge, Van Persie managed just 21 league games last year, scoring just 12.
United recorded their fifth win in a row during the game and head into a huge match against Liverpool on Sunday full of confidence.
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