New recruit, Anthony Martial justified the huge sum spent on him by scoring twice on his first Premier League start as Manchester United emerged 3-2 winners at Southampton.
United’s defence was caught ball watching again in the 16th minute, allowing Pelle to race clear for a one-on-one with De Gea, but the Italian’s effort came back off the post.
The Red Devils were on level terms in the 33rd minute courtesy of Martial on his full league debut.
The French youngster latched onto a through-ball from Mata and wrong-footed Maarten Stekelenburg by feigning to shoot, before finishing on the turn.
United took the lead for the first time in the match just after half time when an under-hit back-pass from Maya Yoshida sent Martial clean through on goal, and he kept his composure to double his tally for the afternoon.
Louis van Gaal’s side extended their lead in the 68th minute through Mata, who was on hand to rifle home the rebound after Depay crashed an effort against the upright.
The closing stages were anything but comfortable for the Red Devils as Pelle notched up his second of the match with five minutes to go, the Italian planting a Mane cross beyond De Gea to set up a nervy finish.