Van The Man, He Scores When He Wants !

Robin Van Persie is certainly the man on fire at the moment. The ex-Arsenal striker is certainly carrying on from where he left off at Arsenal last year. It was not an vintage United performance, Southampton striker Rickie Lambert had scored a header in the first half after he had towered over Rafael. Robin Van Persie had leveled things for the devils with sublime left-foot shot past Kelvin Davis.

Rickie Lambert' scores past Lindergaard.

The Saints had restored their advantage in the second half after Morgan Schneiderlin scored from a similar goal past Anders Lindergaard. Things seem to have gone from bad to worse for the Red Devils when Van Persie failed to convert a penalty from the spot. Things looking really bad, everybody was anticipating for a surprise. This was the 1000th match for Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge of Manchester United, certainly ending in defeat would make this milestone one to forget for the legendary manager.

Van Persie's first goal.

Robin Van Persie had made sure that the Red Devils would not be heading into the international break with a defeat. He had scored a typical poacher's goal thanks to a Rio Ferdinand header which had bounced off the cross-bar. Right place at the right time. The Dutch international had scored his 100th goal in the Premier League and his third goal in the match and his first hat-trick as a Manchester United player by scoring a header thanks to a Luis Nani corner in stoppage time.

Football is a cruel game. Southampton had the feeling of  'deeja vu', first game back in the premier league after a 7-year absence had finished in the same score line however at that time losing to the other Manchester outfit in the league, Manchester City. Sir Alex Ferguson would definitely take note of Unted's leaky defense. Patrice Evra does not look like himself as he wants once, the left-flank always looks vulnerable due to his eagerness to go into the opponent's final attacking third. Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand need to rekindle their relationship in defense, after having not playing together for a long time due to injuries.

Manchester United are no strangers to slow starts. They have done before and have gone on to win the title. Many of us were quick to point fingers at our midfield. Tom Cleverley had just came back from a injury-hit season and to add insult this is just his third in the middle of the park. He certain has shown some promise by  being a menace to other teams. He has shown it against Everton, Fulham and against Southampton. Come Christmas time United would certainly kick into high gear.

Van The Man, He Scores When He Wants!