Man U 0-1 Southampton

Tadic slotted in the rebound from a Graziano Pelle shot that struck the post on 69 minutes to give the Saints the lead in a game United had dominated.

The hosts rallied but were unable to muster a single shot on target for the entirety of the match, with Juan Mata missing two gilt-edged opportunities to secure them a point.

Ronald Koeman – widely documented to have a frosty relationship with opposite number Louis van Gaal following disagreements during their time at Barcelona and Ajax – saw his side avenge their 2-1 defeat when the teams met at St Mary’s Stadium last month.

The injury-enforced withdrawal of Toby Alderweireld was the only low point for Southampton, while Van Gaal has work to do to rediscover his side’s finishing touch if they are to regain third place.

Nathaniel Clyne – back in the Saints’ starting XI for the first time since Boxing Day – went close inside two minutes as he dragged a shot wide before Di Maria’s inviting cross failed to find a touch from any United team-mates.

Like Clyne, Alderweireld was also returning for the visitors, having not featured in the FA Cup draw with Ipswich Town, but the Belgian was forced off injured inside 20 minutes and replaced by Florin Gardos.

While the opening half hour was largely devoid of clear-cut chances, United ended the first period on top.

Van Persie played in Di Maria with a clever looped ball, but the former Real Madrid man miscontrolled, before the Dutchman saw an effort inside the area collected by Fraser Forster following a deflection off Gardos.

A tame, wayward effort from Di Maria – starting for United for the first time since November following injury troubles – proved the final chance of a low-key half in which neither side mustered an attempt on target.

The second half continued in much the same vein as the first, with United labouring up front against a resolute Southampton back line.

Without Radamel Falcao – scorer of two of United’s last five Premier League goals prior to Sunday’s clash and who failed to gain a place in the matchday squad – the likes of Di Maria, Van Persie and Wayne Rooney struggled.

Chances continued to be at a premium for both sides, but crucially Southampton took theirs with the help of some calm finishing from Tadic before Juan Mata failed to make the most of two clear opportunities.

Attacking midfielder Tadic’s goal – which followed up his effort in the 2-0 victory over Arsenal on New Year’s Day – proved the difference as Southampton moved into third, two points clear of United, who have now won just one of their last five league matches.