Time to hit the sack. Manchester United are up to third after a fifth straight Premier League win, Southampton cannot stop losing. Non-league Dover have a dream FA Cup third round home draw against Premier League Crystal Palace, while Arsenal and Hull City will battle it out in a repeat of last season's final. Thanks for all your tweets and texts. We're back on Tuesday with a big night of Champions League action when the focus will very much be on Liverpool. Until then...

Conor McNamara

Image source, Twitter

BBC Radio 5 live commentator in Turkey for Tuesday's Champions League game between Galatasaray and Arsenal: , externalDinner in Istanbul. You lost me at intestines...

It's time to park the Premier League, a big 48 hours is coming up in the Champions League. Liverpool and Manchester City require positive results, while Chelsea and Arsenal are also in action.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says he cannot yet say his side have momentum in the Premier League because of a below-par performance. United have five league wins in a row and sit third in the Premier League.

Asked about momentum, Van Gaal tells Sky Sports: "The performance was not good enough so I cannot say it. We were the lucky team this evening. You have to improve the performance, train to work hard and that's it."

Spanish football writer Andy West on Twitter

"Seems to me this Manchester United team being third in the table doesn't reflect very well on the quality of the Premier League. And I'm afraid to say, this Southampton team being fifth does much the same."

The decision to substitute central defender Paddy McNair inside 40 minutes was "tough" but the right one, according to Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal.

"He had no confidence, he had given three chances away," he tells Sky Sports. "It's very disappointing for me and for Paddy, but I had to because as a manager I am responsible.

"It's tough but it's also in his best interests. I have made a lot of changes and all the boys can survive. It is only one match, one moment in a lifetime."

Ed, London: Had this game been Manchester City v Chelsea, Jose Mourinho would be hailed as a tactical genius with the perfect set-up away from home. However, United get branded as lucky.

Bill, Poynton, Cheshire: Grinding results with horrendous injuries, so have to be pleased. Carrick back and he had to make the difference.

Fletch, Notts: Robin van Persie pure graft. Everything he did was perfect.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal, speaking to Sky Sports: "We lost the ball too easily in the first half. 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."

The last time Manchester United won five Premier League games in a row Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge. It was a 2-1 win over Southampton that triggered a seven-match winning sequence on their way to the title in 2013.

And what next for United? Only the small matter of Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday. That matinee performance to the pantomime you have planned... cancel it now!

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar on Twitter:, external That's some win for Manchester United after a poor game. Robin van Persie was important with his goals.

Image source, Reuters

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman, speaking to Sky Sports: "We played attacking football and tried to press them. We deserved more but on this level the difference is detail in the game and how you handle it when opponents make mistakes.

"But 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."

Who are the others? Alan Shearer (260), Andrew Cole (187), Wayne Rooney (178), Thierry Henry (175), Frank Lampard (174), Robbie Fowler (162), Michael Owen (150), Les Ferdinand (149) and Teddy Sheringham (147).

Manchester United defender Jonny Evans replaced the injured Chris Smalling after 18 minutes and admits he struggled early on in his first appearance since 21 September.

"The first 10 minutes were a bit of a blow but you expect that in the Premier League especially in an away game," says Evans. "It was a fast game and they pressed from the front which made it a bit scrappy."

Christian Gittings:, external With United, it's not really how you win anymore, it's a results business, we are winning, but we need some new defenders/defensive midfielder.

Asif Maruf:, external Another lucky United win. Deserved nothing, still got the three points. It was the Arsenal game all over again.

The Ginger Man:, external If Man Utd get top four, will anyone be more deserving of Player of the Year than David De Gea?

Richard:, external United are eight points off the lead despite being shocking most of the season. Imagine if they get it together in 2015?

Manchester United match winner Robin van Persie: "The first goal is a bit of a gamble, nine out of 10 times it doesn't come off and you still have to score. I was a bit lucky there, it went through his legs but you earn your luck in those situations.

"I felt good, I've felt good over the last couple of weeks fitness wise. Tonight I could keep it up until the last minutes. That is what you want and then the goals, assists and wins will come. We are happy we are on our way up now so we have to keep the momentum going."

Image source, PA

So, no points for Southampton from a run of three games against both Manchester clubs and Arsenal. Next up is 19th-placed Burnley at Turf Moor.

BBC Sport's Nabil Hassan at St Mary's
BBC Sport

"An expert lesson in clinical finishing from Robin van Persie. United up to third. Southampton end their mini-run against Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United with zero points."

Manchester United might not be firing on all cylinders but they're now up to third in the Premier League table, eight points behind leaders Chelsea.

And Southampton? They are fifth, three points clear of sixth-placed Arsenal and one behind fourth-placed West Ham.

Steve Claridge
BBC Radio 5 live

"It was a really enjoyable game. Have I seen Southampton play better? Yes. Did they dominate and deserve to win? Yes. Manchester United got out of jail with two individual pieces of brilliance from Robin van Persie.

"Are United going in the right direction? Performance wise, certainly not. I watched Manchester City here two weeks ago and there's no comparison between Manchester City and Manchester United."

Manchester United's travelling fans are chanting one name. And one name only. Robin van Persie acknowledges their cheers, removes his shirt, walks over to the away end and hands over his sweat-soaked top to a smiling female fan, who tucks it into her coat. What a souvenir! What a guy!