Claude Puel labelled Saints’ heart-breaking EFL Cup final defeat against Manchester United as “cruel” and “disappointing.”

The Saints boss saw his side fight back from 2-0 down at Wembley to level at 2-2 only for Zlatan Ibrahimovic to pop with a winner against the run of play three minutes before the final whistle.

With Jose Mourinho also admitting that Saints at least deserved to get the game to extra time, it was a tough one to take.

“Now I cannot say anything after the game,” said Puel.

“We were all agreed for the quality and we were unlucky for this game for the quality on the pitch and the good reward.

“With different situations we stayed always on the game and just our final two last minute to take this is cruel and very hard.”

He added: “First of all congratulations for Manchester, for Mourinho and his players.

“It is important always to win but second time my players can do a fantastic game and it was particular because we score first (Gabbiadini ruled out for offside) and the decision was not for us.

“We lost 2-0 and we can have many chances to score but we stay on the game and come back just before the half time.

“It was a good thing, a good reward at this moment and after we come back for the second half with good attitude, good spirit, we equalise and continue this good work.

“Before the third goal we had the best situation, the best opportunities.

“It is a big disappointment with the quality of this game.

“Frustration of course for all my players.”

Puel praised the 32,000 Saints fans who produced an atmosphere full of noise and colour at Wembley, but knew, given the way the game went, it was a chance for a major trophy that went begging.

“I think it was a fantastic game on the play and the emotion and the spirit and their attitude,” reflected Puel.

“To lose against normally the player with all this situation was difficult to accept 2-0 and to have the possibility to come back on the game with the quality and spirit is fantastic.

“We played a strong and fantastic level and I think many games since the beginning of the season we have this quality without the good clinical, the good efficient.

“I think with Manolo we find a solution to find the good clinical and it’s important now to continue this work and this play and just to put away this disappointment and come back in the Premier League with this strength and this quality.”

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