Southampton manager Claude Puel reflects on his side's 2-0 defeat to Manchester United

The Friday night match saw Saints control possession for long periods at Old Trafford, but fail to convert any of the openings they carved out as United proved too strong.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored either side of half time to hand United the points, the second of which was from the penalty sport after Luke Shaw had been brought down by Jordy Clasie.

Puel was asked whether he agreed with the decision and said: “I don’t know. I don’t see the situation but it was difficult to accept this goal at the beginning of the start of the second half because after it was very difficult for us.

“We make also possibilities, and in the second half also good football. In this situation it’s important also to score and we had opportunities.”

Saints also had a potential goal ruled out for offside after Dusan Tadic flicked a header into the far corner.

“I don’t see the situation. I see it later, but it changed of course the situation and the possibilities of United,” admitted Puel.

“I think we can see with my team good opportunities and good players in the team.

“They can play on the ground with quality and control and the passes.

“This is important for the future after of course we correct many situations, details, with the ball.”

Having drawn their opening day game 1-1 with Watford at St Mary’s, Saints now have a week on the training pitch before hosting Sunderland in search of their first win of the season.

Puel will be desperate to get three points on the board before the first international break, with a trip to Arsenal looming when the squad return.

He has indicated that the diamond midfield formation is here to stay, and that he believes the goals will start to flow soon.

Saints striker Shane Long reflected: “I know myself I had one great chance in the first half and another one that flicked just past the post in the second. If one of those goes in who knows what could have happened.

“They are a good side but I thought we played well, we passed the ball around well but it took us 20-25 minutes to get going and we need to change that, especially against teams like United. We need to be hitting the ground running right from the start.

“We learn from it. We caused them a lot of problems and we can learn from it and I’m sure the manager will have a meeting to make us better for next week.”