United - From the Opposition Bench!

Nigel Adkins can be proud of the performance his Southampton side gave against United yesterday.

For forty-five minutes they had us on the rack.

But it was perhaps inevitable that following his sides exit from the FA Cup, the post match interview would turn to his talented teenager, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Adkins remained remarkably up-beat about the future of the young prodigy, commenting,

"It wouldn`t surprise me if Sir Alex Ferguson asks about the player when I have a glass of wine with him."

"There are a lot of ways deals can be structured and talented players get to an age when they need to move."

"I want Alex to stay with us; it would be beneficial to his football career to play regular first-team football. We`re not looking to sell him and, as far as I`m concerned, he will be coming with us to Exeter on Tuesday."

"The sooner the transfer deadline closes the better."

And as for his sides performance,

"We wanted to pass, to be a football team and perhaps we did that too much."

"We played the Premier League leaders and gave United a scare. I am proud of the players tonight."

You have every right to be so!

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.