Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku defended Paul Pogba after his teammate denied him a hat-trick in victory over Southampton.

Frenchman Pogba's wasteful spot kick didn't cost United three points as they battled from a goal behind to beat relegation threatened Saints at Old Trafford.

Yan Valery had given Saints an unlikely early lead with a thunder bolt effort from outside the box.

Andreas Pereira and Romelu Lukaku hit back after the break to put Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men in control but James Ward-Prowse's inch perfect free kick set up a frenetic finale.

But Lukaku's 88th minute strike into the bottom corner settled the points, even if Pogba had the chance to put a cherry on top of the result. But the midfielder's spot kick flop, which was crashed down the middle of the goal and saved by Gunn's feet.

Lukaku insisted Pogba was the right man to take kick. He said: "I am a striker and I wanted Paul Pogba to score the penalty, he has been on a good run but he has been an important player for us."