Saints boss Ronald Koeman insisted there was never a chance of him leaving out Victor Wanyama and Sadio Mane at Watford, insisting: “I don’t change my team because of speculation.”

The Saints duo have both been linked with moves away from St Mary’s in recent days but Koeman was not concerned that that would prove a distraction at Vicarage Road.

As it turned out, Mane limped off with a hip injury midway, while Wanyama impressed at the heart of the Saints midfield.

Koeman said: “I don’t make changes due to speculation. It’s about the strategy we have as a club and again - no-one is for sale. They will continue to be Southampton players. That’s everybody.”

Wanyama played in front of a new-look defence, with a back three allowing Cedric Soares and Matt Targett to push forward as wing-backs.

Koeman was delighted with their clean sheet.

“First of all you play football to win but after the five goals we conceded [in the first two Premier League games] to have better defensive organisation was very positive,” he said.

“If you change the system it’s always about the players you have and everyone knows this system.

“We used four or five times last season and after the five goals we conceded it was a good moment to change.

“After the game it was a good decision but after the game it’s an easy decision!

“We didn’t create a lot but both defences were too strong for the attackers and that’s positive and a starting point because winning games starts by a good defensive organisation.

“You hope for opportunities and more quality. We had some chances for that and we had a little more domination in the second half.

“We analysed Watford’s first two games. Both sides were playing for the win.

“Maybe the defenders were too strong but they are doing well for a promoted team.”

Koeman is hopeful that Mane will be fit for Saints’ second leg Europa League tie on Thursday night.

“It’s his hip and it looks not so bad but we have to wait,” he said. “I hope we have everybody available on Thursday, including Sadio.

“The initial incident I didn’t see exactly but he was not good enough to continue.”