Claude Puel regretful after Southampton defeat at Manchester United

Southampton manager Claude Puel admitted he has a lot of regrets after their 2-0 defeat by Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's double on Friday Night Football handed United the victory, meaning Saints are without a win under Puel from their first two games.

But the Frenchman took some positives from the performance, with the visitors threatening United in stages.

"[I have] a lot of regret, because at the beginning of the game we had better situations than United.

"It was a pity, the first goal, and at the beginning of the second half because we had good situations.

"It is important also to progress, and on the pitch we see good players, a good team, but it's important to play with one, two touch. We have good technical players, it's important to play our game.

"We are going to build a good collective, step by step, but even in the second game of the season it is important to correct some details.

"We are angry tonight, but it's positive also to be angry because you can have many possibilities. This team can play."

Puel was in taciturn mood after the match and was guarded in his views on the game's key passage.

Shortly before Luke Shaw won what was a disputed penalty from Jordy Clasie to send United two up, Dusan Tadic had seen a headed effort ruled out by the officials.

Had that have been allowed, and the penalty not followed, the outcome might have been very different.

"The penalty allowed United to play better, after that it was difficult and it is a pity of course," he said.

"I don't know (if it was a penalty), I don't see the situation. It is just difficult to accept this goal at the start of the second half."