'He was good' - Southampton boss delivers verdict on performance of Chelsea loanee Ugochukwu v Man Utd 

Southampton boss Russell Martin has delivered his verdict on the performance of Lesley Ugochukwu as he made his first start in his side's 2-0 loss to Manchester United in the Premier League fixture played at the St.Mary's Stadium on Saturday.

The French-Nigerian midfielder joined the Saints on loan from Chelsea as he found himself down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.

He made his debut in the second-round Carabao Cup fixture against Cardiff City but hadn't played a single minute in the Premier League before last weekend, though he has been named in the matchday squad twice.

Ugochukwu was deployed in a double pivot alongside Flynn Downes in the middle of the park before coming off for Maxwel Cornet in the 64th minute.

Martin was impressed with the France U23 international, revealing that he is getting used to playing in his new club, though he admitted that he can improve.

In quotes relayed by Southern Daily Echo, he said: "I thought he was good. I think he'll get better and better.

"I think he is understanding what we want, and what we require from him will continue to grow. So yeah, I thought he was good.

"He got a bit tired as well. He'd been injured for a while at Chelsea last season and then he came back and was knackered after 60 minutes against Cardiff. 

"Being away on international duty, although he didn't play, being away is different, your routine, the way you train. He did well and he's going to be really good.

Chelsea allowed Ugochukwu to join the Saints as they felt that he could benefit from playing under the 38-year-old tactician, who they feel shares the same philosophy with Enzo Maresca.

The former Rennes midfielder is in contention to make his second consecutive start for the Saints when they travel to Merseyside to face Everton in the third round of the Carabao Cup at Goodison Park tomorrow.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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