United's youngsters have often found trips to Southampton difficult to negotiate in recent years and this one proved no different. Fortunately, of course, the league had already been secured, otherwise the Reds might have found themselves needing a result in the final, tricky-looking game at Chelsea next week.
United were much the better side in the first half but failed to make a breakthrough. McTominay, Riley and Redmond all had good opportunities thwarted by Southampton keeper Gazzaniga.
They were made to pay for this when Southampton took the lead just after half-time, Gallacher drilling a low shot past Johnstone. Their second goal was gifted to them by United. Johnstone attempted to punch away a free kick from the right but succeeded only in finding the head of McNair, from which the ball rebounded into his own net.
Fortunately, Gazzaniga was in equally generous mood at the other end, fumbling a cross that landed at the feet of United substitute Willock, who prodded home from close range.
The Reds pushed for an equaliser and might have had one had the keeper not been in the mood to atone for his error. He did brilliantly to get down low and get a stiff arm to a powerful McNair header to turn it aside. When Redmond skied his volley in stoppage time it was the last chance in an entertaining second period that ended with United falling to a rare defeat at this level, albeit one that has come too late to deprive them of the title.
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