Steve Claridge
BBC Radio 5 live

"Robin van Persie was on the blindside of Jose Fonte, who passed it back without looking and that's the cardinal sin from any player.

"But it was a lovely finish from Van Persie. He waited for Forster to come out and stuck the ball through his legs with a perfectly weighted shot into the net."

Image source, Empics

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Someone tell Jose Fonte that Christmas is still two weeks away!

What a shocker by the Southampton defender as he gifts Robin van Persie a goal with a shocking back pass that the Manchester United forward latches onto in an instant.

Van Persie still has work to do but easily rounds Fraser Forster before firing home.

Ashley Young is already being given the run-around by Shane Long, the Saints forward controlling the ball with his chest before pinging the ball into the danger area. Bright start by the hosts.

Manager watch: Ronald Koeman is out of his dugout barking instructions at his players, urging them to get further forward. Louis van Gaal, meanwhile, is far more relaxed and glued to his seat.

Patient start by both teams. Already a decent battle developing between Marouane Fellaini and Victor Wanyama, the former conceding an early free-kick after chopping down the Southampton midfielder.

Image source, AFP

Steve Claridge
BBC Radio 5 live

"It's not a convincing system for Manchester United. Ashley Young as a wing-back? I'm not quite sure about that. For Manchester United to have to put square pegs in round holes is amazing.

"I watched them use the three centre-backs system at MK Dons and they were smashed out of sight. If I was Southampton I would say 'let's have a real go at them'."

You can listen to live coverage by hitting the play button at the top of this page.

Southampton might be having a testing time after two straight league defeats but the atmosphere at St Mary's is terrific. The blue shirted visitors have Ashley Young at wing-back. Not everyone appears to be convinced about that.

Ronald Koeman and Louis van Gaal shake hands. Roy Hodgson is here. All is good with the world. We're under way.

Southampton: Forster, Clyne, Fonte, Yoshida, Bertrand, Steven Davis, Wanyama, Mane, Tadic, Pelle, Long. Subs: Kelvin Davis, Gardos, Mayuka, Isgrove, Reed, Targett, Hesketh.

Man Utd: De Gea, McNair, Smalling, Rojo, Valencia, Fellaini, Carrick, Young, Mata, Rooney, Van Persie. Subs: Evans, Falcao, Januzaj, Lindegaard, Ander Herrera, Fletcher, Wilson.

Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)

It's a chilly night at St Mary's. Definitely a night for a pair of gloves. Even some players are wearing them including Saints midfielder Dusan Tadic.

Image source, AP

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman on his relationship with Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal: "For me it is not a big issue," he tells BBC Radio Solent.

"I have already played against Louis van Gaal in Holland. Of course for the Dutch people the game on Monday brings more attention because it is Van Gaal against Koeman. But it's no issue because we are not on the pitch and we do not have an influence on the game. It is between Southampton and Manchester United."

At the heart of the antagonism between Saints boss Ronald Koeman and Manchester United chief Louis van Gaal, according to reports,, external lies a simple clash of characters.

Van Gaal and Koeman had monumentally fallen out at Ajax in 2004, when the latter was technical director and the former was head coach. "I will never have dinner with Ronald Koeman again," a betrayed Van Gaal said.

Will they put their differences behind them and shake hands at St Mary's? Will they enter into the festive spirit and embrace? Or will they simply ignore one another and spend the entire match exchanging disapproving looks? Come on guys, it's nearly Christmas!

Image source, Other

Think managerial grudges and thoughts of Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola spring to mind. Jose Mourinho and Rafael Benitez. Jose Mourinho and...

Those of a certain age will remember the spat between Brian Clough and Don Revie. And then there's Gary Megson and Neil Warnock after the 'Battle of Bramall Lane' in 2002. "I've never ever witnessed anything as disgraceful as that," said then West Brom boss Megson after the match was abandoned as Warnock's Sheffield United had only six players left on the pitch.

But Louis van Gaal and Ronald Koeman? The pair have not not faced each other as managers for almost eight years, but tonight's meeting of Southampton and Manchester United sees the resumption of a feud that has consumed Dutch football for more than a decade.

Ding, ding, seconds out, round one...

More reaction from the FA Cup third round to come, but it's time to turn our attention to tonight's big Premier League game.

Martyn Wrather:, external With the current Spurs side being the worst I have ever seen, our Cup run will no doubt come to an abrupt end at Burnley.

AlexSAFC:, external This is an omen, Sunderland have won the FA Cup two times, 37 and 73, we were ball 37, we beat Leeds in 73, we draw them now.

Image source, Getty Images

Jake Organ:, external Wimbledon v Liverpool, takes me back to a sunny afternoon in May 1988, Dave Beasant's save and Lawrie Sanchez's goal.

Dover Athletic midfielder Chris Kinnear Jr, whose side will play Premier League Crystal Palace at home: "It's a great draw. As a non-league team, we're looking for a Premier League team and it should be a great day.

"I'm absolutely chuffed. It's a dream draw. It will certainly be a sell-out, with at least 6,500 people there and I imagine it will be on television. It will bring everyone in the area together."

Blyth Spartans captain Stephen Turnbull on his side's home draw against Birmingham: "I don't think that Birmingham will want to come on our pitch. It is not the same standard as the Championship, that is for sure, and we will give it a good go."

Southport manager Gary Brabin on his side's draw away to Derby: "It is a good game for us with a big crowd and it will be a big test for us. I watched them earlier this season and they are a good side, but if we can perform like we can we will give them a good game."