Smalling: We Must Learn From Saints Loss

Chris Smalling is urging Manchester United to learn from Saturday's defeat to Southampton.

The England international expressed his disappointment following the Reds' sixth reverse of the Barclays Premier League campaign, although he feels his team were unfortunate to lose a game of so few chances.

The 26-year-old told MUTV: "The fans want to see goals and see us attack. We couldn’t break Southampton down today, they played a very solid five and we found it very difficult but we need to learn from this.

"Teams are coming here well organised and Southampton were well organised today, as we were. We both cancelled each other out and it looked like a set-play could be the deciding factor. We were on the end of it today but there were few chances."

Charlie Austin’s late header on his debut secured the Saints' second consecutive win at Old Trafford and Smalling accepts the defeat takes the wind out of United's sails after three wins and a draw in 2016.

"It was a free header – they’re big guys and everyone should be tighter, so to lose the match that way is disappointing," assessed the centre-back.

"Set-pieces were their main threat and they had a couple of half-chances but [it’s disappointing] to concede that way when we should have walked off with a goalless draw, because neither side deserved to win."

"We started this year very well but this is a setback. I think it has [lost the momentum]."

With an FA Cup fourth-round tie against Derby County to come on Friday, Smalling believes it is crucial the players forget about the Southampton defeat as quickly as possible, and focus on the upcoming schedule.

"We can’t dwell on this too much. We’ve got to go again on Friday and the midweek afterwards as well [at home to Stoke City in the league]," he explained. "The players need to pick ourselves up as we’re the only ones who can turn this thing around."