Forget Radamel Falcao! THIS is the real reason Manchester United lost to Southampton

Manchester United’s defence were caught out by an excellent Southampton break

Manchester United’s 10 match unbeaten run was brought to an abrupt end as Ronald Koeman’s efficient Southampton side ran out deserved 1-0 victors at Old Trafford.

It was United’s first defeat home since the opening day of the season loss to Swansea.

Supporters were roundly critical of Louis van Gaal’s use of a 3-5-2 system following the full-time whistle, however, with Rafael da Silva not risked following his cheekbone injury, it was little surprise Van Gaal elected to continue with his use of wing-backs having stated that Antonio Valencia played better as a wing-back than as a classic full-back despite Luke Shaw having returned on the opposite flank.

In fact it was not the 3-5-2 system which played a significant part in United’s downfall yesterday it was a combination of a lack of pace in midfield coming up against what was an excellent organised defensive midfield pairing of Morgan Schneiderlin and Victor Wanyama for the Saints.

Angel di Maria has been the shining light of United’s season so far and United’s results have notably dipped over the festive period by where Di Maria has not made a single appearance due to an injury picked up in his return against Aston Villa just before Christmas.

The lack of speed in midfield, usually provided by Di Maria, has caused United’s football at times to be rather laboured and stretched over recent weeks, particularly in away matches.

Without the ability to gain 15 or 20 yards through a forward run from midfield, United have been forced to play stretched, longer passes out of defence which puts pressure on the forwards dropping deeper to receive these passes as well as the centre-halves who have to put an extra ten to fifteen yards on a pass out of defence.

This was again the case yesterday with Di Maria placed in a centre-forward position with the Argentine unable to build up any speed on forward runs from such an area. As much as it sounded like sour grapes when Louis van Gaal suggested Southampton came to Old Trafford for a draw, it wasn’t far from the truth, not that there is anything wrong with that.

Southampton were organised fantastically well in defence despite losing Toby Alderweireld early on in the match and both defensive midfielders put in performances worthy of textbook status. Schneiderlin showed both Manchester United and Arsenal what they were missing with his performance although you have to wonder if the afternoon would have played out different had Di Maria started from midfield.Di Maria’s positioning as a centre-forward saw the Argentine become isolated

United’s best football going forward this season came with the use of the 4-4-2 diamond within which Di Maria played as a left-sided central-midfielder. Of course this system was not sustainable due to the lack of defensive cover it provided, however yesterday Van Gaal could have started James Wilson and Robin van Persie up front or even simply swapped Rooney with Di Maria.

With Di Maria not in midfield there was nobody to receive the ball in that area who could do anything spectacular with it. United’s passes out of defence then became stretched with United’s forwards having to play 10 yards deeper than they would have liked with their back to goal, this was perfect for both Wanyama and Schneiderlin who were never going to lose a physical challenge after being able to watch the trajectory of the pass all the way.

United barely got past Southampton’s midfield and it is only mildly surprising that the club failed to register a shot on goal at home for the first time since the Premier League’s inception in 1992.

Despite what certain statistics comparing David Moyes’ points tally with Louis van Gaal’s so far would have you believe, there is no crisis at Old Trafford. Players are returning to fitness and the January transfer window is open with United in the market for potentially two players.

Van Gaal will have seen how events unfolded yesterday and will certainly look for a better way to reintroduce Di Maria into midfield however with United now perched in 4th behind Southampton, the club has to start another winning run before a very tough run of fixtures just before Easter.