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Mauricio Pellegrino believes Southampton controlled game against Man Utd

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Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino felt his side played well in their defeat to Manchester United

Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino insists his side controlled the game despite their 1-0 defeat by Manchester United.

Saints had 61 per cent of possession at St Mary's, and piled the pressure on United in the second half, but Romelu Lukaku's 20th-minute strike won it for Jose Mourinho's side.

Pellegrino was happy with his side's efforts, and felt they restricted United all over the pitch.

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Southampton 0-1 Man Utd

He told Sky Sports: "For me, I think we controlled the game, and never allowed them to play on the counter-attack, something they are good at with pace in wide areas. Even with the long ball to Lukaku and Fellaini, I think they were under pressure all the time.

"But with this goal, they felt comfortable defending with five defenders, but that's football too.

"Football is efficiency, you have to score goals. We did well, we played a good game for me, difficult to control against Man Utd in this type of game."

Pellegrino, whose side have scored just four goals in six games this season, insists Saints must be more aggressive in the final third in future games.

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Romelu Lukaku celebrates after opening the scoring at St Mary's
Image: Romelu Lukaku celebrates after opening the scoring at St Mary's

"OK, we have to learn for the future and be more aggressive in the final third. At the same time I'm happy because we did everything that we thought before the game.

"But just in one action, this action [goal] turned the game. It was the difference in the game.

"The offensive way is not just about one player. It's about all the squad. We can work out how we can create chances in the final third; it's the most difficult thing in modern football. But we have to push on."

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