First time in 27 years Saints have won at Old Trafford
Saints leapfrog United into third place
Tadic slots in after Pelle shot had hit the post
Image source, @manutdManchester United might not be everybody's cup of tea but even fans of their fiercest rivals admit the pre-match playlist at Old Trafford is a decent listen. Today's menu features The Charlatans, Joy Division, Kings of Leon, David Bowie and Bastille. There's even a song for Louis van Gaal - "Louie Louie" by The Kingsmen!
Southampton debutant Eljero Elia has had a colourful career. The Netherlands international winger has been involved in off-field incidents, lost his place in the national team and has only played nine times this term. Want to know more about the 27-year-old? Read about Elia's career on the BBC Sport website.
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Manchester United and England captain Bryan Robson is 58 today and has made it clear what he wants most to celebrate - three points against Southampton.
Robson, who helped United win two Premier League titles and three FA Cups, tweeted:, external "Three points against Southampton would be a perfect birthday present!
Robbo has also paid tribute to Saints boss Ronald Koeman in the match programme. "He knows exactly what he is doing, just as he did as a player," he said.
Image source, PASouthampton or Barcelona? The WestQuay Shopping Centre or La Boqueria, external? Fish and chips or tapas? Ronald Koeman knows all about the delights of living in Barcelona having won four La Liga titles and one European Cup during six years as a player at the Nou Camp. Yet the Saints boss appears in no hurry to return to Spain.
Responding to reports that he is being lined up to replace Barcelona's troubled coach Luis Enrique, Koeman said:, external "If teams like Barcelona lose games there is always a lot of critics, rumours, speculation.
"And I know that, because my whole life I am linked to Barcelona. But it is not a time to talk about that. I am very happy to be here. I started a contract in Southampton, and I like to respect my contract and the people."
Image source, other
Image source, lukeshaw23It's a big day for Luke Shaw, who started his career at Southampton before moving to Old Trafford in June for £27m. The 19-year-old defender, who has made eight Premier League starts for Manchester United, joined the Saints Academy at the age of eight and posted a picture of himself in action for one of Southampton's youth teams on his Instagram account, external on the eve of today's game - next to a picture of himself in his United kit.
"Really looking forward to tomorrow's game. A club that has got me to where I am today, forever thankful to the club and fans," wrote Shaw. "Hopefully we can keep our strong home form going and get the three points."
Image source, PAManchester United and Southampton both make three changes to their starting line-ups from their last Premier League outings.
The Reds bring in Daley Blind,Angel Di Maria and Antonio Valencia in place of Jonny Evans,Radamel Falcao and Ashley Young. New goalkeeper Victor Valdes is on the bench.
For the Saints, Nathaniel Clyne and Morgan Schneiderlin join debutant Eljero Elia in the starting line-up at the expense of Sadio Mane,Dusan Tadic and Florin Gardos.
Man Utd: De Gea, Valencia, Smalling, Jones, Shaw, Carrick, Di Maria, Blind, Mata, Rooney, van Persie. Subs: Evans, Ander Herrera, Fellaini, Valdes, McNair, Blackett, Wilson.
Southampton: Forster, Clyne, Fonte, Alderweireld, Bertrand, Wanyama, Schneiderlin, Steven Davis, Ward-Prowse, Elia, Pelle. Subs: Kelvin Davis, Gardos, Long, Tadic, Isgrove, Reed, Targett.
Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire)
Image source, @SchneiderlinMo4Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin:, external Let's go to Manchester!
Morgan and his team-mates looked happy and relaxed after boarding the plane to Ringway Airport. But will they be smiling on their way back to the south coast? Recent league meetings between Manchester United and Southampton at Old Trafford suggest not. The Saints have not won a league game at the venue since Ronald Komena was in his prime at PSV Eindhoven 1988.
Ian Dennis
BBC Radio 5 live
"I have seen a lot of Manchester United this season and Ashley Young has been a key player as wing back. He will be missed."
Manchester United's Ashley Young: , externalBit lonely in the physio room! Where's everyone gone?
Image source, ReutersIt's gone from standing room only to almost empty in Manchester United's training ground treatment room. I say almost empty as Ashley Young remains absent with a hamstring problem that is likely to keep him out for between four and six weeks.
In early December it was reported that United had suffered 43 injuries in five months, including lengthy absences for Michael Carrick, Phil Jones, Rafael and Radamel Falcao.
But the club's over-worked medical team is finally getting some much needed breathing space - leaving boss Louis van Gaal with some tough selection decisions to make. For instance, there is no Radamel Falcao in today's 18.
Midfielder Daley Blind makes his first Manchester United appearance since November. Remember the injury crisis at Old Trafford? Apparently it is a thing of the past...
Ian Dennis
Match of the Day commentator at Old Trafford
"Even Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has admitted there is room for improvement with the performance of his team. However, one area where the Dutchman will be content is their form at Old Trafford - only Chelsea have a better home record in the top flight.
"It's credit to the players and the shrewd management of Ronald Koeman that Southampton are looking to build on their impressive finish of eighth last season, especially after overcoming their recent blip - they're now unbeaten in five games."
Image source, Getty ImagesSo, do Manchester United have any chance of winning the title or have they left themselves too much to do? Louis van Gaal's side start 12 points behind leaders Chelsea with 18 games to play. Is it too big a gap? And Southampton fans, can the Saints continue their fine form and secure a Champions League spot? Tweet #bbcfootball,, external post a message on the BBC Sport Facebook, external and Google+, external pages or tweet 81111.
Image source, Getty ImagesWhen these two teams met at St Mary's five weeks ago, it was billed as the battle for third spot. But do Manchester United have more ambitious targets now? Louis van Gaal's side can move to within seven points of second-placed Manchester City with victory over Southampton. As for the Saints, victory at Old Trafford will lift them above United into third spot in the table. Too soon for Southampton fans to be dusting down their passports ready for Europe for next season?
Manchester United make three changes to the side that drew 1-1 at Stoke on New Year's Day - their last Premier League match. In come Angel Di Maria, Daley Blind and Antonio Valencia. New goalkeeper signing Victor Valdes is on the bench.
Southampton give a debut to 27-year-old winger Eljero Elia, who has joined on loan from German side Werder Bremen.
Image source, ReutersFootball in the Netherlands might still be in winter lockdown but for Dutch legends Louis van Gaal and Ronald Koeman this is no time for a break. The clock is ticking, the midway point of the campaign has passed and in 19 weeks time the identity of the 2015 Premier League champions will be confirmed.
Manchester United have an awful lot of catching up to do to make it a three-way battle for the title. Victory over Southampton is a must if they are to keep alive their faint hopes of catching Chelsea and Manchester City.
The Saints have frustrated Chelsea and Arsenal in their last two top-flight outings. Yet nothing will give Koeman greater satisfaction than seeing his side end compatriot Van Gaal's title push at Old Trafford once and for all.