MANAGER Russell Martin believes Lesley Ugochukwu will get "better and better" following his first Premier League start for Saints.

Chelsea loanee Ugochukwu played 64 minutes against Manchester United before being replaced by the experienced Adam Lallana.

The French youth international headed over from a Yukinari Sugawara cross just before the half-hour mark with the scores level at 0-0.

Ugochukwu, still only 20 years old, completed 23 of his 25 passes attempted and was successful with one of his two tackles.

Lesley Ugochukwu has joined Saints on a season-long loan deal from Chelsea. (Image: Stuart Martin) Asked for his verdict on Ugochukwu's maiden start, Martin said: "I thought he was good. I think he'll get better and better.

"I think he is understanding what we want, and what we require from him will continue to grow. So yeah, I thought he was good.

"He got a bit tired as well. He'd been injured for a while at Chelsea last season and then he came back and was knackered after 60 minutes against Cardiff. 

"Being away on international duty, although he didn't play, being away is different, your routine, the way you train. He did well and he's going to be really good."

Ugochukwu could feature for Saints in Tuesday's Carabao Cup trip to Everton, while he is likely to retain his place in Martin's Premier League starting team.