Ben Guest
Ralph Hasenhuttl thought that Southampton were unlucky to come away from Old Trafford with nothing after Manchester United came from behind to win 3-2.
The Saints took the lead thanks to a thunderbolt of a strike from wing-back Yan Valery in the 26th minute but were pegged back in the second half by a strike of equally high quality from Andreas Pereira.
United got their noses in front just six minutes later, with Pereira turning provider, finding Romelu Lukaku who fired past Angus Gunn to score his third goal in two games.
However, despite Manchester United’s improved performance in the second half, Southampton would draw themselves level thanks to an inch-perfect free-kick by James Ward-Prowse, a goal which looked like it would give the visitors a valuable point in their battle against the drop.
Their hopes were dashed though as Lukaku netted his second of the game with just two minutes to play, a goal which once again came from outside the box, and speaking after the game, Saints boss Hasenhuttl thought his side deserved at least a point.
“The team deserved more than to be defeated today. They made a fantastic game and tactically we were very good. The first half was very good and played a brave performance. The team showed they wanted to get something,” the Austrian told BBC Sport.
“We maybe could have had two penalties and at 2-0 up it would be much more difficult for Man United. We were defeated by a fantastic Romelu Lukaku.
“We never stopped playing for a point and feeling we could get something out of the game.
“The players felt there was something possible here but it was disappointing in the end. Nobody asks how we lost, for me it would be better if we did not play as good and got a point. We made the fans proud today.
“If we stay working and playing like this, focusing on clean sheets, we showed we can score.”