Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: 'We do not want football to become like rugby'

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said that the Premier League must be careful that it does not become like rugby with the rule change this season.

Premier League officials have been advised to allow matches to flow more this season, with strong challenges now less likely to be penalised than in previous campaigns.

Man United fell behind against Southampton on Sunday afternoon when Che Adams's strike deflected off Fred and into the back of the net, and the Saints had regained possession just before the goal with Jack Stephens coming through the back of Bruno Fernandes.

Solskjaer has admitted that his side should have defended better, but the Norwegian is certain that the referee should have blown his whistle for a foul on Fernandes.

"We should do better," the Manchester Evening News quotes Solskjaer as saying. "If you don't get a foul, we should make sure we block the shot, put your body on the line and make sure they don't get a strike on target.

"That being said, it's a foul, [Stephens] goes straight through Bruno, with his arm and his hip across him. We can't go from one extreme of volleyball or basketball last season to rugby now. I like the more lenient way, it's more men's football but still, that's a foul.

"That being said, you could see early on, with the fans, it gets the crowd going flying into tackles and we did suffer a few tackles that was part of their thinking early on if you like."

Mason Greenwood's second goal of the season in the early stages of the second period cancelled out Southampton's opener, as the scores finished 1-1 at St Mary's.