Robin Van Persie scored twice at Southampton as Manchester United made it a fifth win a row.

The 2 - 1 win at St Mary's saw the Reds leapfrog the Saints to go into third place in the Premier League table.

Van Persie opened the scoring for the visitors after 12 minutes when he capitalised on a poor backpass from Southampton defender Jose Fonte and slotted past Fraser Forster.

United also suffered another defensive injury setback, with Chris Smalling substituted after 18 minutes to be replaced by Jonny Evans.

But Southampton were level on the half hour mark. The ball fell to Graziano Pelle in the box, before he lashed in a goal past David De Gea.

Wayne Rooney's in-swinging free-kick reached Van Persie at the back post and he finished past Forster.