SAINTS starlet Tyler Dibling admitted his first Premier League start felt like he was playing FIFA - the popular football video game.

Dibling, 18, likened the feeling of lining upside the likes of Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes to begin in The Journey - a storyline where you take a young talent to the top of the game.

The Saints academy graduate revealed he felt anxious before the game but his nerves were soon put to rest once he started playing.

Dibling went on to grab the headlines when he won a penalty having been tripped by Diogo Dalot in the first half.

In a new interview with Southampton's media team, Dibling watched back several clips from his young career, including his maiden league start against United.

Southampton's Tyler Dibling fouled resulting in a penalty against Manchester United.Southampton's Tyler Dibling fouled resulting in a penalty against Manchester United. (Image: Stuart Martin) "Because I only played limited minutes for the club last year, I didn't think I was going to go on and start a lot of games for the club," he explained.

"I was very nervous before it. It was against Manchester United as well. I felt like I was in The Journey on FIFA.

"It was weird. I had Rashford next to me. I've used him on FIFA for about five years. It was a bit surreal.

"After that game, you just get used to it to be fair. I was so nervous before - I don't usually get that nervous - but once you step on the pitch and I made that first pass, I settled.

"I took on Dalot and won a penalty, unfortunately, Cam (Archer) missed it but it's still a good moment. Sam Amo-Ameyaw said to me 'If you do well, you could stay in the team.'

"This is why I'm in the team, to take people on. I can't shy away and pass backwards. I need to be positive and sometimes it works."

Dibling was then shown a clip of his first senior goal for Southampton, scored against Ipswich at St Mary's.

He was picked out by Adam Lallana before skipping past Jacob Greaves and sending Arijanet Muric the wrong way. 

"Only Adam Lallana would play this pass and I knew it was coming. I'm quite close with Adam - he helps me and Sam.

"I knew he likes to make this pass and not keep it safe. I was ready on the turn because I could see him looking.

"He's been in the position I'm in now and went on to play for Liverpool and England. He speaks to us (Dibling and Amo-Ameyaw) every day.

"If we are doing something wrong, he will put us in line. He is the perfect role model because he's lived what I want to live.

"He's really demanding. I think he will make a good manager one day. My dad and brothers had me on FPL. I think I got 11 points, they thanked me for that."