Sir Alex Ferguson spoke of his delight to be back at the top of the league once again after Manchester United won their first ever game at St. Mary's to record their 7th straight Barclaycard Premiership victory.
James Beattie put Southampton ahead in the third minute with a well taken header but Ruud van Nistelrooy levelled matters six minutes later, and in the process equalled the record of scoring in seven consecutive Premiership games from open play.
David Beckham put United ahead just before half-time with a marvellously placed free-kick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer secured the points for the visitors in the second-half with a typically assured strike, to send The Reds to the top of the table.
Speaking after the game, the Manchester United manager said:"It's terrific to be at the top of the table. We were making too many mistakes, but other teams have too and that's given us half a chance. There's still a long way to go and we can't afford many more.
"But it was a battle here today. Southampton played very well. It is one of the hardest games we've had for a while. Southampton were very good, especially in the first half and we knew how good Beattie is in the air.
"But Beckham's goal just before half-time knocked the stuffing out of them a bit and we played much better in the second half."
As for his red-hot Dutch striker, Ferguson is in doubt that the £19million man can continue his rich vein of form in front of goal after scoring in his last nine games for the Club, having missed United's last defeat - 1-0 to West Ham - back in December.
If Van Nistelrooy nets another against Blackburn next weekend he will have broken the goal-scoring record for consecutive games in the Premiership and Sir Alex believes it is well within his grasp.
"He's in remarkable form and puts away half-chances so well. The record? With the form he's in you've got to believe he's got a chance. Anything can happen," he said.
Despite seeing his team lose an early lead, Gordon Strachan - twice a player under Sir Alex Ferguson - was pleased with the effort of his players overall and felt that The Saints have caused problems for their visitors.
"At times we played as well as at any time since I've been here but it just didn't break for us," he admitted.
"Right up until the last 10 minutes when it got a bit flat we gave United plenty of problems and I'm proud of the effort that was put in."
Southampton will now have a brief respite from the league as they travel to First Division Rotherham to play their postponed FA Cup Third Round tie at Mill Moor with the winners entertaining Crewe or Sheffield Wednesday in Round Four.
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