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Southampton manager Rusell Martin has warned that Tyler Dibling remains committed to the club even as he continues to be linked with a move to Manchester United.
Dibling produced a superb performance for Southampton despite suffering a 3-0 home loss at the hands of United more than a week ago.
In the first half especially, the youngster regularly got the better of Diogo Dalot and even won a penalty for the Saints after the United full-back illegally brought him down inside the area.
Fortunately for Erik ten Hag’s men, Andre Onana denied Cameron Archer from the spot-kick. A report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that United are interested in Dibling, with Dan Ashworth in particular thought to be an admirer of the forward.
It was subsequently pointed out that United had scouts present to watch the player in action over the weekend, as he scored in a 1-1 draw vs. Ipswich Town.
It appears that the 20-time English champions are indeed laying the groundwork to potentially swoop in for Dibling in the near future but according to Martin who spoke to The Daily Echo, it will not be easy to take the 18-year-old away from St Mary’s.
Martin said, “When you’re 18 and you play in the Premier League to the level he’s played at, I think every club in the world probably looks at you. He’s ours.”
“The club has turned down bids for him since I’ve been here, so he’s not a secret to people who have been watching under-21s football.”
“He left the club and didn’t enjoy it where he went so he came back. I think he understands we all just want the best for him and he has a great support network around him that we are in constant contact with.”
The Southampton boss added, “We have to make sure he keeps enjoying it and we play in a style that he can really flourish and thrive in. The (transfer) speculation is nothing for him or for me. We are in a strong position.”
“I’m sure we will look at securing that and strengthening that even more because if he carries on doing what he’s doing then he will deserve that.”
Martin insisted that Dibling just needs to focus on football and improving both as a player and as a person.
Feature image Michael Steele via Getty Images
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