Manolo Gabbiadini and Jose Mourinho at the final whistle

The Manchester United boss was spotted in conversation with Gabbiadini after he netted twice in Southampton’s 3-2 defeat.

And according to Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, Mourinho told him: “You were fantastic - you scored two goals of a real champion.”

Gabbiadini has now scored five goals in three matches since he completed a £14m move from Napoli.

Manolo Gabbiadini scored two against Manchester United in the EFL Cup final

Claude Puel is a big fan and said: ”He is important for us now as he is a clinical striker.

"His quality in the box is efficient, with good runs and now is interesting for us of course [because in the] three last games he's scored six [including the disallowed goal].

“The first goal was good. It is fantastic and important to have him because since the beginning of the season we had many games with quality but without reward.

"It was important to get this quality of player."

Meanwhile Gary Neville has likened Gabbiadini to Filippo Inzaghi.

He said on Monday Night Football: “Very rarely have I seen movement across the box so many times in a game.

“We always like to compare players and find out who they remind us of, he reminds me so much of Filippo Inzaghi.”