Southampton

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Ralph Hasenhuttl says Southampton "will definitely not sell" striker Che Adams this summer.

Adams, who has been strongly linked with a move to Everton, has also been of interest to Leeds United and Nottingham Forest.

Speaking to the media, Hassenhuttl addressed the rumours and said: "I can categorically say that he's our player and he's staying with us.

"We will definitely not sell him this summer."

On the Scotland international's start to the season, he added: "He has a big impact when he comes on.

"He showed against Cambridge he can score goals. It's a sign of him feeling confident."

Ralph Hasenhuttl has been speaking to the media before Southampton host Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday.

Here are the key lines from the Saints boss:

• Hasenhuttl says Romain Perraud "looks good" in training and is in contention for Saturday's game, after recovering from a groin injury.

• He expects the game against Manchester United to be "intense" and added: "It always is when you play top teams because they have very good individuals so they test your pace."

• On Erik ten Hag's style at United, he said: "I see a very clear identity of what they're doing now. If you beat Liverpool then it's a big message to everybody."

• He says his team are "looking forward to the next ten busy days" and added: "The team is coming closer together, we have had a few positive results which is always good for the self-confidence and for the commitment."

• On speculation of Che Adams signing for Everton, he said: "I can categorically say that he's our player, he's staying with us and we will definitely not sell him this summer."

• He gave little away on transfer business but said he would divulge if he was "happy" after the window closes.

Follow Thursday's Premier League manager news conferences here

Ainsley Maitland-Niles "just needs to play football" after the Arsenal midfielder was linked with moves to Southampton, Bournemouth and West Ham.

That's the view of Telegraph journalist Luke Edwards as he weighs up what next for an England international whose career has stalled over the past two seasons.

"I can't quite believe he is still at Arsenal," Edwards told the Transfer Gossip Daily podcast. "He's been on the fringes of the first team there since 2016 and never really made it.

"But there is a really good player there with talent, ability and quality. He needs to move."

Southampton and Bournemouth have been mooted as destinations for a season-long loan with Maitland-Niles entering the final year of his contract.

"I think it's likely he'll end up at one of them," said Edwards. "He just needs to go and play football and I hope he can go on to have the career we thought he would have when he was 20."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Southampton and Bournemouth are discussing a possible deal for Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles, with the Gunners potentially open to a loan move with an option to buy. (TalkSport), external

Want more transfer news? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Adam Blackmore, BBC Radio Solent

It’s been a good week or so for Southampton, and there’s relief from fans and the manager that the season is truly up and running.

While the cup win at Cambridge United was ultimately routine and a good workout, the away win at Leicester City in the Premier League is the game that’s really settled August down for Saints.

For a team notoriously bad at holding on to leads, it’s been great to see Saints come from behind against Leeds United and Leicester to pick up four points and a crucial first win - and the character the players have shown bodes well, especially from a dressing room that was apparently not pulling for the manager two weeks ago.

Ralph Hasenhuttl will know there’s a long way to go, but it will be a relief he got that response from his players, and now maybe everyone can focus on the football and not the distractions.

He should also take credit for being big enough to change a formation the players weren’t comfortable in, and revert to a back four at Leicester after spending all summer trying to morph Southampton into a back-three side.

Now they need to make sure they perform well in huge back-to-back home games against Manchester United and Chelsea. Any right-minded supporter knows they may ultimately take nothing from those games, but the manner of the performances will be the key to not letting confidence be affected.

Fight hard, be positive, but ultimately lose? That’s acceptable. But if their defensive fragility returns and they ship too many goals, then the same old doubts and fears will resurface.

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Southampton's win over Cambridge United in the Carabao Cup was a good night for the academy.

On his Saints debut, 17-year-old Dominic Ballard scored in the 88th minute to become the fifth-youngest goalscorer in the club's history.

His strike sparked wild celebrations, followed by chants of "he's one of our own" from the 1,451 travelling Saints fans.

Boss Ralph Hasenhuttl said: "It was a good goal, a good celebration and he enjoys this absolutely.

"You could feel immediately how much it means to him, and this is good because he wanted to score this goal."

Ballard was not the only Southampton youngster to make his debut on Tuesday, with right-back Lewis Payne impressing with his assist for Che Adams' opener.

"Good game for him," Hasenhuttl said of the 18-year-old.

"It was a beautiful first assist to find the right player in the box and he made some good runs outside.

"What I really liked was that he lifted his head and saw what the right pass to make was. It was clear that he was a little tired at the end as he invested a lot, but it's always good when you come in, start a game and can play that long for a young player. It's fantastic."

• Southampton are winless in their past 12 Premier League games against Manchester United, with their last victory coming at Old Trafford in January 2016 (1-0).

• United are unbeaten in 11 games at St Mary's, since a 1-0 loss in August 2003.

• Saints have conceded more Premier League goals against Manchester United than they have against any other opponent (98).

• United are looking to record consecutive league victories for the first time since February.

Everton are finally ready to sell Anthony Gordon if they can find a suitable replacement. Watford's Brazilian forward Joao Pedro, 20, and Southampton and Scotland international Che Adams, 26, are among the players the club has made inquiries over. (Mirror), external

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Ralph Hasenhuttl hopes Che Adams will stay at Southampton after his brace helped the Saints beat Cambridge United 3-0 in the Carabao Cup.

The Scotland forward has been linked with a move away from St Mary's, but after his double against Leicester on Saturday, he is already half-way to his eight-goal tally from last season.

"He is our player," said Hasenhuttl.

"He was last season the second best goalscorer in our team so why should we let him go?

"He enjoys this position I think, alone up front, in the middle where he is always in the box and there he has his biggest strength.

"Again it was a good message from him to show up here and show he can always be the guy who can score our goals.

"Yeah, he enjoys this position and we know what we have with Che. After a not-so-good pre-season, where he was struggling a little bit for goals, he is now on fire and this is what he should be."

Harry Tizard, The Saints Score, external

Che Adams’ starring role in Southampton’s comeback victory over Leicester shows the striker is an indispensable member of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s squad.

With rumours circulating about his future before his double at King Power Stadium, such claims about his exit should now be silenced.

A unique attacker in the Saints' forward ranks, the Scotland international showed he can hold up the ball from direct plays and bring others into play, as well as score.

In his first three seasons with the club, many correctly questioned his finishing ability inside the box, but his impact against the Foxes was encouraging.

Slamming in his first two shots – both first-time efforts – the 26-year-old could have had a second-half hat-trick, only to strike the post late on.

With many fans expecting another striker to be added to the forward roster, they must complement Adams, rather than replace him.

The former Birmingham City man is defined by his confidence. With Manchester United and Chelsea on the horizon, his match-winning display could not have come at a better time.

After his two goals for Southampton against Leicester, Che Adams has been picked in Garth Crooks' team of the week.

"What is going on at Leicester?" Garth said. "Kasper Schmeichel has gone, Youri Tielemans looks like he's going and Wesley Fofana has one foot out of the door.

"To expect Leicester to perform in an environment where there is so much uncertainty is not fair to the manager, the players or the fans. The quicker the club gets through this transfer window the better.

"Southampton, meanwhile, have retained the services of Adams who transformed the game for them when he came on against the Foxes. It just goes to show that when you've got a genuine goalscorer in your team you are always in with a chance of nicking the points."

Find out who else made Garth's team of the week here

Image source, Getty Images

Ralph Hasenhuttl says Southampton are taking their second round of the Carabao Cup game against Cambridge on Tuesday "very seriously."

Saints reached the quarter-final stage of the competition last season and the fourth round of the FA Cup.

On how he will approach the away trip, Hasenhuttl said: "We will have some changes in the team but we are taking it very seriously.

"We remember last year when we won at home against West Ham with nine substitutes, so what you see is possible and when you take it seriously then you can also perform with other players."

Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy is expected to start against the League One side, with Nathan Redmond and Theo Walcott also likely to feature.

Speaking about the the importance of a good cup run, he said: "I think last year we showed how far we want to go.

"We don't have a bad record in both cup competitions and this is how we take it."

We asked for your views following Southampton's away win at King Power Stadium against Leicester.

Here are some of your thoughts:

Craig: It’s a joy to see Saints return to the youth policy of old and with a manager who clearly has the skills and desire to bring youth on. He's finally getting a board with some money to back him. Saints will have a much better season and next.

Lee: Saints' young team is a gamble but it looks like it's gelling and going to pay off. I'm expecting a top-half finish and to see some bright future Premier League players coming through.

Alan: Thought that we were really bad in the first half. We could not hold their press. We seemed to need too many touches before we passed which gave Leicester too long to challenge us. The second goal was good for us as Kyle Walker-Peters crossed very quickly which put us in charge and Adams' volley was great. Team still has a long way to go when we are in possession.

Mike: Che Adams showed his value to the team as he inspired a great comeback. A much better defensive display too. A well deserved three points.

Watch all the highlights from Saturday's six matches in the Premier League on BBC iPlayer here.

And if you missed Match of the Day 2 with Mark Chapman on Sunday, it's right here.

Aston Villa have submitted a loan offer for centre-back Jan Bednarek from Southampton. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

Want to have your say on today's match at King Power Stadium?

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Emlyn Begley, BBC Sport

Just over a week ago the talk was that Ralph Hasenhuttl had lost the Saints dressing room.

There was no sign of that at all as they battled back for the second game in a row - picking up four points from losing positions.

The decision to bring on Che Adams after 59 minutes could go a huge way to consolidating the Austrian's position at the club.

Adams showed no signs of a man on a six-month scoring drought when he slotted home and scored a lovely volley. But he admitted afterwards he was "devastated" to hit the post late on as a hat-trick loomed. Nice problems to have.

"After the goal we saw we had nothing to lose and the guys stepped up. We played some fantastic football," said Hasenhuttl.

Also encouraging was the average age of Southampton's team - 23 years and 238 days - the youngest by any Premier League team in over five years.

Among the players to catch the eye was German 20-year-old centre-back Armel Bella-Kotchap.