Benali reacts to Southampton's collapse defeat at United

Up until the disappointing end, which left me feeling deflated at full-time, I thought it was a really positive, front-foot performance. 

Old Trafford is a difficult place to go at any time but the team showed intent, desire and passion to have the hosts on the back foot for most of the game.

We were guilty of needing better finishing at times. I've been in games like that where the momentum shifts really quickly.

Sometimes you're shell-shocked even out on the pitch thinking, how on earth did that happen? The substitutes were a clear factor in the outcome.

Amad scored a late hat-trick to beat Saints (Image: PA) The changes weakened the side. Tyler Dibling, Mateus Fernandes, Lesley Ugochukwu, Joe Aribo and Jan Bednarek came off having performed extremely well.

The lads that came on, sadly, didn't match the level of energy that you expect of players coming on to close out a win.

This is going to be a tough defeat to bounce back from. The guys had the game in their hands. It was there to be won. Kamaldeen Sulemana had a chance to put us 2-0 up.

It's going to be a huge ask for the players to dust themselves off, especially given that there are only a couple of days between the defeat at Man United and tomorrow's trip to Forest.

I don't know what the plans are for recovery and preparation. The players are staying over at St George's Park, which will help with travel, but we won't be at our usual base.

Forest are flying at the moment and will relish a home game against Saints. In some ways, we couldn't have faced a worse opponent after a heartbreaking defeat. 

I hope Thursday's loss is not one blow too many. We are a little bit like a boxer who has taken too many punches at the moment, even though there's a long way to go in the season.

Many felt Forest would be down towards the bottom of the table with us but they've shown how you can get promoted and build season on season. I'm not sure we will get a chance to learn from them, however.

Chris Wood is scoring heaps of goals and everyone else in their side, which is full of real quality, is chipping in week to week.

Kamaldeen has really impressed me over the last two games. The critics might say that his struggles were due to the way Russell Martin wanted us to play.

Kamaldeen Sulemana had the beating of Lenny Yoro all evening. (Image: PA) I don't know how much I'd go along with that. Ultimately, I always think it's down to the player to perform, no matter what their relationship is with the manager.

Any opportunity a player gets has to be grabbed with both hands. You can still show the best version of yourself, regardless of any formation or tactic.

I question why we haven't seen that from him more often. You find yourself pointing the finger at him more than anything else because he's certainly got the ability to do it.

I'm amazed that we haven't seen that on more occasions in the past but he needs to stay at this level every week now.

His importance will only grow if Tyler Dibling is to be ruled out with an ankle injury, having gone off early at Old Trafford.

I don't need to shine a light on how good Dibling has been but losing him would be a huge blow. It doesn't reflect on the squad very well that we are fearful about losing an 18 year old to injury.

Dibling has still got a lot to learn but you can't help yourself from getting excited about what he can achieve in football. Let's hope it's not a serious one and he's back very soon.