Ronald Koeman believes that fielding Jake Hesketh against Manchester United is proof that Saints will continue to give youth a chance.

The 18-year-old was handed a first team debut from the bench as he replaced Dusan Tadic for the final 20 minutes of the game at St Mary’s.

Hesketh has travelled with the Saints squad before but had not made the bench for a league game ahead of his dramatic debut appearance.

Koeman has been impressed with Hesketh’s progress and insists he will give youngsters a chance whenever he can.

He said: “First off we had problems with our midfield players and he is like James Ward-Prowse, an offensive midfield player. For example, Harry Reed is more defensive and that is the reason we bring in Hesketh and not Harry Reed the other day in the place of Dusan.

“He’s doing well, he’s a talent. He’s improving.

“He used to play between the lines, he’s fast, he’s left, right footed and a player with a future.”

As a club Saints have committed to a philosophy of bringing young players through their ranks.

It is something they have done with great success for generations and Koeman feels that this ethos is allied to his own beliefs. He reflected: “I know it’s the way of Southampton but it’s more easy to do it if it’s your own way as well.”

Despite the positivity of youth, there was a feeling that a few injuries left Saints with a lack of experience to call upon from the sub’s bench against United.

As well as Hesketh, the bench also contained 19-year-old Harrison Reed, 19-year-old Matt Targett and 21-year-old Lloyd Isgrove, none of whom have started a league game for the club before.

“We know when we have a lot of injuries then it’s for us like for most of the teams in the Premier League it’s difficult. That’s the difference between the big clubs and the rest of the clubs,” said Koeman.

“They have international players and they can change more and if they have injuries it’s normally not a problem for them. For the rest of the teams it’s sometimes difficult.

“On the other side it gives us possibilities to give chances to younger players like we did last Monday for Jake Hesketh.

“That’s one of the philosophies of our club, we like to give young players a chance in the first team.”