Manchester United’s technical director Jason Wilcox got a mention as Southampton and Brighton played out a 1-1 draw in Friday night’s Premier League fixture.
While The Saints might not be a top-flight side for very long – Russell Martin’s team remain bottom of the table with just five points and one win from 13 matches – it is partly a testament to the excellent work Wilcox did on the South Coast that Southampton can call themselves a Premier League outfit.
For now, at least.
Martin labelled Wilcox ‘a really top operator’ before Southampton’s 3-0 defeat by Manchester United earlier in the season, the former MK Dons and Swansea boss having been headhunted for the Saints job by the man now helping to rebuild behind the scenes at Old Trafford.
And with reports suggesting that Man United are watching Southampton’s Tyler Dibling, per Give Me Sport, the Jason Wilcox connection is likely to be a massive factor in any future switch to Old Trafford for the silky winger.
Especially after Martin admitted, following Flynn Downes’ second-half equaliser at The Amex, that Wilcox was championing Dibling’s involvement in the Saints first-team long before his breakthrough came about.
Tyler Dibling of Southampton clashes with Diogo Dalot of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Manchester Un...
Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images
Jason Wilcox a big fan as Manchester United eye Southampton’s Tyler Dibling
“He has ability I’ve just not seen in many people,” Martin said during his post-match interview. “It’s a pleasure to watch him play football.
“”He needs to be in an environment where he feels really trusted and loved, and we absolutely love him. The lads in the dressing room understand how good he can be, but you can cut some of that [praise] because if we keep telling everyone how good he is then he won’t be here for very long!
“Jason Wilcox was pushing for us to play him more last season, but he wasn’t quite ready. It’s been beautiful to watch Tyler’s journey so far and he needs to keep going.”
MORE UNITED STORIES
Still only 18, Dibling made his Southampton league debut as recently as January.
10 months on, the twinkle-toed teenager has blossomed into the most creative weapon at Martin’s disposal, although Dibling does not have too much competition for that role in a Saints squad short on attacking talent.
Dibling destroyed Diogo Dalot as Andre Onana saved Man United
Manchester United know from experience, meanwhile, just how devastating Dibling can be at full flow.
Legend has it that Diogo Dalot is still wake up in cold sweats to this day, turned inside out by the one-time Chelsea academy kid as Dibling was scythed down in the penalty box with Andre Onana – denying Cameron Archer from 12 yards – forced to come to the Portugal international’s rescue.
Dibling, arguably Southampton’s most exciting young forward since the days when Gareth Bale was wearing white and red with enough gel in his air to fill an entire shelf in Boots, gave Liverpool no end of problems too as Arne Slot’s team survived a scare on the Solent.
“Dibling is the man,” former Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood told Optus Sports. “He’s only 18 years of age, but he’s ready to step up. Already, you know there is a superstar in the making there.
“He will probably be [Liverpool’s] next signing!”
With Jason Wilcox working down the road at Old Trafford – and hoping to bring the best up-and-coming talents in the game to Manchester United – he will be hoping that Sherwood’s final point is a little wide of the mark.
Related Posts