Ronald Koeman has defended his decision to leave highly-rated winger Sadio Mane on the bench during Southampton's Europa League exit to Midtjylland on Thursday.

The Saints travelled to Denmark knowing that they needed to score at least once to preserve their hopes of reaching the group stages following last week's 1-1 draw.

Morten Rasmussen's goal on 28 minutes fired the hosts into a 2-1 aggregate lead on 28 minutes as Koeman's side tried in vain to break down a stubborn Midtjylland defence.

A hip problem cost Mane - a reported Manchester United target - his place in the first XI, and the Dutch coach says that it would have been reckless of him to risk the Senegalese hotshot as a substitution.

"Sadio wasn't 100%," Koeman, whose side have won two points from a possible nine in the Premier League so far this season, told reporters.

"It will be a long season. I didn't take that risk because we need him for more games this season."

Southampton, who sit 18th in England's top flight, host newly-promoted Norwich City on Sunday afternoon.