MANAGER Ruben Selles insists he “respected” former Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl and did not think about taking the number one job before it became available.

The Spaniard previously revealed that he has felt ready to be a manager for four years while working as an assistant at various clubs, including Copenhagen, before arriving at St Mary’s.

The UEFA Pro License holder was picked to be Hasenhuttl’s number two during a summer staffing shakeup and remained on the coaching team through the Nathan Jones tenure.

As he prepares to take his team to one of the world’s most famous football stadiums – Manchester United’s Old Trafford – Selles, 39, has tried to cool any suggestions of personal significance.

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That started with a question surrounding his thought processes back in June, and whether he had been eyeing up the top job from then.

Daily Echo:

“I said when I came that I respected Ralph, I didn't even think,” Selles, who is now the youngest manager in England’s top-flight, insisted. “I know things happen in football.

“But in the same way, I stayed in the club when Ralph or Nathan was gone. I could have been out. I was very respectful when I came with Ralph but things come in many different situations. I'm happy to be here and helping the club.”

Hasenhuttl was sacked in November following an extended run of poor form, while Jones lasted just eight Premier League games before he was dismissed last month. 

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Asked about visiting Old Trafford as a full-time Premier League manager, he continued: “I have not been to Old Trafford. It is an exciting moment but so are other moments of the job.

“We've been to Elland Road, Stamford Bridge and even when I wasn't the manager Liverpool and Anfield. It is exciting to play any team in this league. We will take it. I am not impressed by any environment, I will take it as a game I want to win.”

Selles, who has overseen two wins and two clean sheets in his three matches as boss, has placed importance on the players governing themselves on certain day-to-day standards.

The likes of Theo Walcott, Willy Caballero, Kyle Walker-Peters and Che Adams all assist captain James Ward-Prowse.

“The first thing we tell them is that pressure is a privilege. This week the team has been helping charity, that was amazing,” Selles said.

“The pressure cannot be more than the pressure we put on ourselves. I can see players that are trying to solve some things.

“I said after the Grimsby game that some things need to be addressed and they did it. You can see a team that, forget about the football, is working together, fighting for each other and covering each other.”

He added: “This, at the end of the day, will give you more than marginal gains it will give you points. We cannot sustain a 1-0 against Leicester if we do not have this in the dressing room. That is what we need to continue doing.”