Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insisted the decision to start Paul Pogba on the bench in Manchester United s crucial Champions League clash with RB Leipzig was made way before the game.
Pogba starred in a 3-1 win over West Ham in the Premier League on Saturday, but was left out of the team for the meeting with Bundesliga side Leipzig on Tuesday after his agent, Mino Raiola, claimed he is unhappy at United and should be sold in the next transfer window.
The outspoken Raiola told Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport that Pogba could return to Juventus as he needs a change of air .
His comments come at a crucial juncture for United, who need to take at least a point from their game against Leipzig to qualify for the last 16, with Manchester City up next in the Premier League.
Pogba, who has made 13 appearances in all competitions so far this season, was one of five changes made by Solskjaer, who was adamant the switch had been planned in advance.
My decision is tactical, Solskjaer told BT Sport. That s the only thing. We made a team decision way before this game.
We decided on Scott McTominay and Nemanja Matic in midfield before the West Ham game. You always think about the best for the 11.
Asked what impact Raiola s comments have had, Solskjaer added: Nothing. You prepare for every game as if it s your last one. We ve got City on Saturday. That doesn t matter – this is the one for us now.
Yet it could hardly have gone worse for United in the opening stages in Germany, as Leipzig raced into a 2-0 lead by the 13th minute.
1:49 Angeliño s goal against Manchester United is the earliest that they ve conceded in the Champions League since Alan netted for Sporting Braga in October 2012 (1:27). Traps.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe)
On loan from City, Angelino drilled in a fine opener inside two minutes – the earliest United have conceded in the Champions League since going behind to Sporting Braga after one minute and 27 seconds in October 2012.
The returning David de Gea was beaten again 11 minutes later, when Angelino crossed in for Amadou Haidara to volley home.
Angelino, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Leipzig and has thrived as a wing-back, has had a hand in six goals in six Champions League appearances this season, scoring three and assisting an equal amount.
Only against Juventus in the famous semi-final of April 1999 have United been 0-2 down earlier in a Champions League match, with the Red Devils coming back to win 3-2 in Turin.
Willi Orban then tapped in a third, but the goal was disallowed for offside following a VAR check.
