DUSAN Tadic was Saints’ hero at Old Trafford last season – and he hopes to recreate one of the most special moments of his career when he goes up against Manchester United again tomorrow.

The midfielder scored the winner when the teams last met, in January, with his goal not only giving Saints a famous victory, but also pushing them above United into third place.

Ronald Koeman’s men would eventually fade away from the fight for the Champions League, but Tadic’s effort remains one of the standout moments of a memorable season, and he would love to be on target again when the sides clash at St Mary's tomorrow.

“I think it was a really big moment for me and for my team, because it’s a long time somebody don’t score there and a long time we don’t win there,” he said.

In fact, it had been 27 years since Saints had won at Old Trafford in the league before Tadic rolled the ball into an unguarded net from 18 yards after it rebounded to him when Graziano Pelle’s shot cannoned off the post.

“It was a really special moment and it’s really nice feeling,” he said.

“This kind of moment you’re never going to forget and I hope what I say that we will have much more that kind of moment.

“I think everyone dream about that. When you start to play football, you dream to score in the biggest stadiums against biggest opponents and, yes, this is some of your dreams what you get and it’s really nice.”

As wonderful a day as the win at United was – it was an afternoon when almost anything felt possible for Saints – it really should have marked a famous double over Louis van Gaal’s side.

Saints had dominated the Reds when the teams met at St Mary’s earlier in the season, but were left to rue two uncharacteristically sloppy pieces of defending and an inspired performance from David de Gea in goal, as they fell to a 2-1 defeat.

“Yes, I think also we have big opportunity home, we have some big chances and then after they score from our mistakes, but ok this is football and I hope we’re going to prepare well for this game – we already train really good this week and I hope that we’re going to get good result,” said Tadic, who is pleased that Saints go into the game with some positive memories.

“It’s nice, but still it’s a new season and everything is different, but ok still you have nice memories, but you need to show again and for sure they play good football, they are Man United, but we also play good football and we have our qualities and I hope we’re going to show that.”

The signs in the last few matches at least are that Saints may be edging towards some better form.

Three clean sheets in a row in the Premier League and a 3-0 win over Norwich in their last home encounter suggests some improvement after a patchy start.

“It’s much better, you know,” said Tadic. “When you have better results and when you play better football you feel much more confidence in the group and individual, and we need that.

“It’s important every week to take points and to play good football.”

Doing so against United might prove to be particularly valuable.