MAURICIO Pellegrino met with Saints’ new owner Jisheng Gao after last weekend’s defeat to Manchester United – and admitted the meeting “went really well”.

The Chinese businessman and his daughter Nelly bought an 80 per cent stake in the club during the summer and came St Mary’s for the first time as Pellegrino’s side lost 1-0.

They were introduced to the home faithful and the players and management met with the Gaos post-match.

“Yes, I was with them at the end of the game with (chairman) Ralph (Krueger), with the board of the club,” said Pellegrino.

“It went really well and for me they were really happy with the game.”

Pellegrino is hoping the Gaos can help Saints keep their upward trajectory in the Premier League.

“It's the new owners, they hope the best for the club,” he added.

“Hopefully Southampton can continue in this way, in the same track that we were doing in the last six, seven years.

“My impression is that they are really humble people, always asking about football, about how we are, and really happy.”

The Argentine boss admits that he did not discuss the Gaos ambitions for Saints.

“We don't talk too much about the future of the club,” he said. “We were just talking about when we'll go to China to play a couple of games.”