Claude Puel has dismissed the notion that Saints are on some kind of revenge mission when they face Manchester United tomorrow night and urged his side to focus purely on themselves.

Saints suffered the heartache of a 3-2 EFL Cup final defeat at the hands of Jose Mourinho’s United at Wembley at the end of February, in game they could, and maybe should, have won.

With United having one eye on next week’s Europa League final, there could be a chance for Saints to get one over the Red Devils at St Mary’s.

But Puel is more concerned with his team than trying to settle an old score.

He said: “It’s another game, it’s a long time now since the final against Manchester United.

“It’s a Premier League game and just focus about this. It is not revenge.

“It is important to keep good energy and enjoy your football and focus about this and not other things.”

Saints have extra motivation for the final two games of the season as they have the chance to finish eighth in the Premier League.

They sit a place behind West Brom, who currently occupy that position, with both teams having two games left to play.

Saints host United tomorrow and Stoke on Sunday, while the Baggies play Man City away tonight and end their campaign at Swansea.

“I think the last result against Middlesbrough allowed us the possibility to finish strong this Premier League,” reflected Puel.

“We saw this game with seven changes and with a good result, good play.

“We saw all the squad always with a good concentration and focus about our games and this is the most important.

“A lot of people ask me about the possibilities of good focus about the game without playing relegation or European games or different things but we showed good intensity, good reason in our games.

“I am happy with the work on the pitch and the training sessions also.

“We make seven changes last game to keep the good result and intensity and different players can recover and this allows the possibility to finish strong and well the two last games.

“I am happy with the spirit and the professional attitude of my players.”

Puel was again asked about his own future and replied: “I cannot be distracted about this, about speculation.

“The most important for me is to stay focussed about our possibility, our football, to finish strong in the Premier League and it will be a good reward for us.

“This is the most important and after I cannot make comments about speculation or other things.”