Louis van Gaal admitted his Manchester United gave a disappointing display as they suffered a home defeat by Southampton on Saturday, saying: “We did not create any chances.”

The Red Devils conceded an 87th-minute goal by Saints debutant Charlie Austin to succumb to a second successive 1-0 home defeat by Ronald Koeman's side in the Barclays Premier League, a result that leaves them 10 points behind the league leaders Leicester City and five points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.

“It was a poor performance,” said Van Gaal. “Football is not only defending but also creating chances but we did not create any chances.”

The Dutchman added that an injury to Matteo Darmian also may have affected his players, while leaving them more vulnerable to the sort of set-piece from which Southampton produced their winner.

“After the changes I made whenever we had a set-piece we had a problem,” he said.

•Photo shows Van Gaal.