There hasn’t been too much for Southampton fans to shout about since their return to the Premier League with Russell Martin’s side losing all three matches so far.
The latest of those losses came on Saturday as Southampton lost 3-1 against Brentford in what was Aaron Ramsdale’s debut for the club.
The only positive Russell Martin could take from defeat at Brentford was the fact Southampton scored their first leage goal of the campaign; Yukinari Sugawara striking in the 95th-minute with the game already lost.
Martin persisted with the same 3-5-2 shape he has opted for in each Premier League game so far this season, with Ramsdale the only change to the starting XI from the 1-0 losses against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest.
The Saints boss was clearly unhappy with what he saw from him team at the Gtech Community Stadium and with two weeks to work with his players big changes are expected in the next game against Manchester United.
- READ MORE: Russell Martin must repeat ruthless decision if Southampton are to stay in the Premier League
Tyler Dibling deserves Southampton start against Manchester United
Despite 14 first-team players being signed in the summer, arguably the brightest spark for Southampton so far this season has been 18-year-old academy prospect Tyler Dibling.
Dibling was the standout performer in pre-season and has come off the bench in each of the Saints’ three Premier League games this season.
- READ MORE: Russell Martin explains why ‘incredible’ Southampton player is yet to make Premier League start
The attacking midfielder’s only start of the season came in the 5-3 Carabao Cup win over Cardiff City in which he provided two assists.
Martin loves the youngster and said of Dibling after his 15 minute cameo against Forest: “Tyler was brilliant. He was our biggest attacking threat. He was on the pitch for 15 minutes and he’s 18.
“We need a bit more of that mentality, that freedom to go and create, but he’s a really special talent.”
Dibling again impressed off the bench against Brentford and provided the ball into Adam Lallana for him to head down to Sugawara for his late consolation.
Dibling chances of Manchester United start harmed by England duty
The clamour for the teenager to be handed his first Premier League start is only growing but there is one reason Martin may resist the urge to do this against Manchester United.
That is that Dibling is currently away with England under-19s – where he is joined by Saints team-mate Sam Amo-Ameyaw – and therefore won’t be working with Martin in the build-up to United.
With Martin expected to spend the break devising a plan for the next block of games, Dibling’s absence may work against him as Southampton look to find a solution to their poor start to the season.
Dibling and Amo-Ameyaw face Italy on Thursday, before facing Croatia on Saturday and Germany on Tuesday in a busy international break for the young duo.